Sorority mourns sister's passing

Arizona Daily Wildcat Erica Lyn Bowden

Bowden, a University of Arizona criminal justice senior and Alpha Chi Omega sorority member, was killed Wednesday morning when her car hit a pickup truck head-on northwest of Tucson. She was 21.

"Emerald was her favorite color," said Katheryn AtLee, a political science senior and Alpha Chi Omega member. "The ribbons are a way for us to hold together and not let go."

Bowden, who expected to graduate in May, was returning from her internship at the Pima County Public Defender's Office.

Bowden, a Sabino High School graduate, was wearing a seat belt, and her air bag deployed.

"She was a seat belt person," AtLee said. "She wouldn't even back up if I didn't have my seat belt on."

Bowden and AtLee exercised together Tuesday at the Campus Recreation Center. Bowden, an avid swimmer, used to swim at the Rec Center every evening.

That night, Bowden bleached her hair blond, AtLee said.

"We joked that she didn't want to be dumb like me," she said.

Bowden's sorority sisters described her as a loyal friend.

"You could not find a more generous friend and sister," Alpha Chi Omega members wrote in a statement. "Erica never gave up on anything, and she would never let anyone else quit either."

Meggin Mantle, Alpha Chi Omega president, was planting flowers for Spring Rush when she got a phone call from Bowden's parents telling her about the crash.

"I was pulled aside by some friends and told that there was an accident and Erica didn't make it," Mantle said. "I lost it. She convinced me to run for president."

Bowden was nominated for Greek Woman of the Year for her house involvement and extensive campus activity involvement. She was active in the UA's Criminal Justice Club and Business Club and also served as Alpha Chi Omega's vice president of finance and assistant Rush chairwoman.

"Erica was so together," AtLee said. "I would vote her most likely to succeed."

Flowers arrangements began to fill the Alpha Chi Omega house's foyer yesterday. Alumnae offered their support by helping out with Rush.

Alpha Chi Omega's national vice president offered to fly to Tucson and pay her respects.

"People are willing to drop everything. She really was loved," Mantle said.

The Greek community offered condolences by calling and sending flowers, she said. Each Greek house stopped by Alpha Chi Omega to offer support.

Bowden, a Tucson resident, is survived by her mother, father and an older brother, whose names were not available.

Her funeral will be held 11 a.m. Monday at the East Lawn Palms Mortuary and Cemetery, 5801 E. Grant Road.