Laura Elizabeth Bowen Metz, owned Merry Nook
Laura Elizabeth (Beth) Bowen Metz, born April 26, 1969. departed this life much too soon Friday, March 17, 2017, at the age of 47. She leaves behind a grieving family and friends who loved her for the very special soul that she was.
Laura was born in Chattanooga Tenn., and moved with her family to Delaware when her father was transferred by duPont. Laura was a graduate of A. I. DuPont High School and the University of Delaware. She was a resident of Sussex County and the owner of the Merry Nook, Long Neck.
Laura's many passions included watercolor painting, reading, walking on the beach, helping her neighbors assisted by her beloved furry friend, Josie, and binge watching her favorite television series. She took great pleasure in opening her consignment shop, the Merry Nook, in Long Neck, and long talks with Madison about high school, boys and being a teen.
Laura was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Paul and Isabel Bowen, Sweetwater, Tenn; and her maternal grandfather, D. A. Byrum, Sweetwater.
She is survived by her wonderful son, Marcus C. Kindervater, Wilmington; husband George A. Metz III, Rehoboth Beach, and his children Matthew and Michael Metz of Denver, Colo., and Madison Metz, Rehoboth Beach; parents Sandra Byrum O'Neill and Michael D. O'Neill, Madisonville, Tenn., and Marcus and Carole Bowen, Wilmington. She leaves behind her sister Janey L. Bowen, Boulder, Colo., and her brothers Steven M. O'Neill (Poppy), Brooklyn N.Y., and Brian P. O'Neill (fiancé Lenneigh Singely), Landenberg, Pa. She will be sadly missed by her maternal grandmother, Betty Byrum Hicks, aunts Laura Bryum Johnson (Timothy), Shannon Byrum Sears (Frank) and Gail Bowen Pedigo (Tommy), and by her uncle, John C. Byrum, all from Tennessee. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Aidan, Sydney, Beckett, Sammy and Peyton; her mother-in law, Carolyn Metz of Rehoboth Beach; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Julie and Mike Reid, Raleigh N.C., who are mourning her loss.
Her family asks for your thoughts and prayers during this very sad time. Friends will be received Sunday, April 2, at Hartefeld National, One Hartefeld Drive, Avondale, Pa., 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., with a celebration of life event beginning at 11:15 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to Catholic Charities, 2601 W 4th St., Wilmington DE 19805.
