Helga Martha Dowling
July 8, 1939 — August 28, 2020
Dowling, Helga M. Bendig
Age 81, passed away August 28,2020. Born July 8, 1939 in Berlin, Germany, one of a set of twins born to Gustav Bendig of East Prussia and Martha Helene Emilie Bendig (nee Schade) of Bavaria with an older brother, Alfred Bendig.
Mrs. Dowling was a decorated gymnast in her youth and then an accomplished seamstress in her native Berlin and a lifelong animal lover. As a military wife, she lived in Germany, England and across the US, finally settling in Jacksonville, FL upon her husband's retirement from the US Air Force. In Jacksonville, Helga and her husband Brad bowled for 33 years at Jax Lanes.
Mrs. Dowling was preceded in death by her husband, William B. Dowling merely three months ago. Surviving are daughters Carol Ann Thomas Summers (Jeremy), Nicole R. Dowling (Gary Lyles) and son Robert C. Thomas (Christi); grandchildren Kayleigh J. Smolinski, Brianna C. Coughlin, Brittany Bellomy, Justin Thomas and Zachary Thomas; and twin brother Helmut H. Bendig of Berlin, Germany.
Graveside funeral service and interment to be held at Jacksonville National Cemetery at a later date by invitation.
Age 81, passed away August 28,2020. Born July 8, 1939 in Berlin, Germany, one of a set of twins born to Gustav Bendig of East Prussia and Martha Helene Emilie Bendig (nee Schade) of Bavaria with an older brother, Alfred Bendig.
Mrs. Dowling was a decorated gymnast in her youth and then an accomplished seamstress in her native Berlin and a lifelong animal lover. As a military wife, she lived in Germany, England and across the US, finally settling in Jacksonville, FL upon her husband's retirement from the US Air Force. In Jacksonville, Helga and her husband Brad bowled for 33 years at Jax Lanes.
Mrs. Dowling was preceded in death by her husband, William B. Dowling merely three months ago. Surviving are daughters Carol Ann Thomas Summers (Jeremy), Nicole R. Dowling (Gary Lyles) and son Robert C. Thomas (Christi); grandchildren Kayleigh J. Smolinski, Brianna C. Coughlin, Brittany Bellomy, Justin Thomas and Zachary Thomas; and twin brother Helmut H. Bendig of Berlin, Germany.
Graveside funeral service and interment to be held at Jacksonville National Cemetery at a later date by invitation.
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