NORWALK, CONN. — Bobbie Louise Hainline Howrey, 85, passed away peacefully after a prolonged illness on March 12, 2025, in Norwalk, with her beloved life partner, Thomas Schwenke, by her side.
Born in Beaumont, Texas, on April 3, 1939, Bobbie’s warmth, charm and vivacious spirit touched countless lives. She was crowned homecoming queen and graduated from the University of Houston in 1961, setting the stage for a life of achievement, adventure and deep connections.
Bobbie built a successful career as a real estate agent in Houston during the 1980s, before channeling her passion for art and antiques as a designer and collector in Wilmington, Del. Bobbie contributed many years of dedicated volunteer service as a docent/museum guide at the storied Winterthur Museum in Wilmington. After she and Tom met there in the early 2000s, they later made their home in Woodbury, Conn., where they continued to share a life filled with love, laughter and treasured friendships, largely centered around their lovingly shared passion for design and antiques. Bobbie’s knowledge and experience with couture, fashion and designer jewelry was shared with many as she forged a work life with Tom as part of his antiques and auction businesses.
Bobbie was known for her impeccable taste, whether manifested in her love of rugs, antique furniture, books on art and design, Native American jewelry, Hermès scarves or a perfectly chosen pair of Chanel shoes. Her friends often described her as radiant, generous and full of life. She was uniquely energetic and remarkable in her curiosity, small in stature but large in spirit and character. She leaves a huge void in the lives of those who knew her closely.
She loved her family deeply, especially her granddaughters, Ada Sinatra and Emeline, Abigail and Chloe Howrey. She is survived by her devoted life partner, Thomas Schwenke of Woodbury, Conn.; her sons, Bret Thomas Howrey of Galveston, Texas, and Brian Kent Howrey of Los Angeles; and her daughters-in-law, Kristen Peek and Lynda Sinatra.
Details of a memorial service to be held in Galveston, Texas, will be shared at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a charity of choice in Bobbie’s honor.
A Celebration of Life for Bobbie will be held at The Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden in Woodbury Conn., on April 5, from 11 am-1 pm.
Munson Lovetere Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements. To leave an online condolence, www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.
