The two angels glow in the darkness as they’ve done for the last 11 years at Christmas time. They’re a beacon on the street, a celebration of the season and a reminder of two special people who are no longer here.
On March 2nd, 1997 sisters Julie and Cheryl Bowe and friend Mary Henderson, died in a car accident while traveling to Fredericton. The following year, Ed Bowe, the girls father, built the wooden angels. He and his wife Rita, along with some friends and family, lit the angels on December 14th. That’s the birthday of Cheryl, their youngest daughter. The angels remained lit every night until January 23rd, the birthday of Julie. They’ve done this in memory of their daughters every year since.
This year the angels were lit on Sunday, December 13th. About 30 people gathered at the Bowe home and participated in the ceremony. Ed Bowe is an avid runner and a few members of the running community said some prayers before the lights were switched on. As well as the runners, some members of Rita’s card group attended along with friends and family members.
In addition to the angels outside, the Bowes have turned their basement into a winter wonderland. A Christmas village that was started by Julie, has grown over the years to take in much of the basement, complete with houses, churches, snowy streets and even trains.
Ed Bowe says they do this every year for the girls. It’s also something they do for themselves and for everyone who knows them. And as the years go on and more people know the story, the Angels become an an even more important Christmas tradition.
The two angels glow in the darkness as they’ve done for the last 11 years at Christmas time. They’re a beacon on the street, a celebration of the season and a reminder of two special people who are no longer here.
On March 2nd, 1997 sisters Julie and Cheryl Bowe and friend Mary Henderson, died in a car accident while traveling to Fredericton. The following year, Ed Bowe, the girls father, built the wooden angels. He and his wife Rita, along with some friends and family, lit the angels on December 14th. That’s the birthday of Cheryl, their youngest daughter. The angels remained lit every night until January 23rd, the birthday of Julie. They’ve done this in memory of their daughters every year since.
This year the angels were lit on Sunday, December 13th. About 30 people gathered at the Bowe home and participated in the ceremony. Ed Bowe is an avid runner and a few members of the running community said some prayers before the lights were switched on. As well as the runners, some members of Rita’s card group attended along with friends and family members.
In addition to the angels outside, the Bowes have turned their basement into a winter wonderland. A Christmas village that was started by Julie, has grown over the years to take in much of the basement, complete with houses, churches, snowy streets and even trains.
Ed Bowe says they do this every year for the girls. It’s also something they do for themselves and for everyone who knows them. And as the years go on and more people know the story, the Angels become an an even more important Christmas tradition.
The two angels glow in the darkness as they’ve done for the last 11 years at Christmas time. They’re a beacon on the street, a celebration of the season and a reminder of two special people who are no longer here.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
The Angels are beautiful! Thank you Ed and Rita for sharing this special tradition with us in memory of your daughters Julie and Cheryl.
January 6th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
My husband and I live one street over and frequently walk our dog on Crestwood Drive. We have commented many times on the pretty angels in the Bowe’s yard. I am so glad that I now know the story behind them, it makes them even more special. Coincidentally, my birthday is January 23rd too