Donna Bowen-Pidgeon

Donna Elaine Bowen-Pidgeon  -  May 22, 1943 – February 19, 2025

James Harvey Pidgeon - July 23, 1951 – December 25, 2012

Donna Elaine Bowen-Pidgeon, age 81 of Escondido, California passed away February 19, 2025 at her residence. She was born May 22, 1943 in Bethel, Ohio the daughter of the late Edwin and Florence (Pride) Bowen. Up her parents’ death Donna, age 6, was raised by her late grandparents – Fred and Ivy Pride of Hamersville, Ohio along with her sister Alice Ann, age 2, and brother Larry, age 1. Donna graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. She worked in the research laboratory at the University of Cincinnati before she met and married James (Jim) Pidgeon. They moved to Lexington, Kentucky where Donna worked at the University of Kentucky in their research lab and Jim worked sales with Steinbergs appliance store. Tired of the cold and snowy winters they packed their belongings into a U-Haul truck towing their car and drove all the way to San Diego, California. There, Donna got a job with the University of California as a published research assistant and later staff research associate and area supervisor in the Department of Molecular, Cell and Biology (MCDB). Jim worked as a massage therapist and was Donna’s support, driving her to and from work. After Donna’s retirement in 2001 they moved to Escondido, California where they purchased their first home, a fixer upper mobile home for their retirement years. They both enjoyed animals and were patrons of the San Diego Zoo. With Jim’s help Donna enjoyed growing plants both inside and outside and she enjoyed being a long time LA Clippers fan. After Jim’s passing in 2012 their cats Ali and Coco gave her much comfort. Donna wrote “I feel privileged to have shared 27 years with the most wonderful person I could ever know. I am comforted in knowing without a doubt that we will be together again along with all our wonderful pets in Heaven.” Besides her parents and grandparents, Donna was preceded in death by her husband of 27 years – James Harvey Pidgeon in 2012 and two brothers – Larry and Roger Bowen.

Mrs. Pidgeon is survived by one sister – Alice Pursley of Ross, Ohio; one brother-in-law – Phil Pursley of Ross, Ohio and her beloved cat – Ali.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 P.M. Friday, September 26, 2025 at the Mt. Orab Cemetery in Mt. Orab, Ohio. The Cahall Funeral Home in Mt. Orab is serving the family.