Esther B. Pirnie

Esther Florence Bowie was born to Samuel I. Bowie and Florence Elizabeth (Rye) Bowie on May 10, 1943 in Nanjemoy, MD.  She was born in the log home on the Bowie family farm where she joined four older brothers and two older sisters.  She completed her elementary education at the Nanjemoy schools and then attended LaPlata High School to complete her education, graduating in 1961.  She passed into the arms of the Lord on December 12, 2023.

Prior to graduation, she was recruited to go to work for the Central Intelligence Agency and she began work in June of 1961 and was there until her retirement in 1998.  Esther loved her job, especially since it afforded her the opportunity to travel to many beautiful places.  She also cherished the many lifelong friendships she developed at her employment and maintained them until her passing.

On August 8, 1970, Esther was united in marriage to Lowell Pirnie and they had 53 wonderful years together.  Upon retirement, they decided to move to Texas and settled in Valley View.  After getting her home arranged, she set out to pursue her second love of quilting.  She soon found the Mountain Springs Quilting Club which met every Wednesday to hand-quilt and from 2000 until 2019, every Wednesday was dedicated to being at quilting --- she always ensured nothing interfered with her quilting day.  Her passion for quilting led her to make many beautiful pieces of art and again this afforded her the opportunity to make many dear friends.  Esther had many varied interests, including cross stitching, and of course, spoiling the young foals she and Lowell raised.

In September of 2019, Esther was struck with a debilitating stroke, which stole her ability to speak and limited the use of her right side.  As was her nature, she attacked rehabilitation with total vigor and determination, learning to walk once again and to write with her left hand --- throughout she never lost her smile.  Although she never regained her ability to speak, she could, with time and many questions and much laughter, make us understand what she was trying to tell us.  The most difficult issue was her inability to quilt any longer, which she missed terribly.

Esther was preceded in death by her father and mother; three brothers, David, Vernon, and Leroy; two sisters, Helen and Leora five brothers-in-law, James , Chester,Robert,Dean and Elwin and her father-in-law and mother-in-law.  She is survived by her husband, Lowell; brother, Johnny (Charlene); sister, Winnie Lanehart; sister, Joan Lewis; brother, Deryl (Jean); 3 sisters- in- laws Jane Bowie, Jill Bowie ,Jane Martins and many nephews, nieces, family members, and friends throughout the world.  She will be dearly missed by all.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the Mountain Springs Quilting Club, c/o Linda Alexander, 2266 Neely Trail, Valley View, TX 76272.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.