Cornelia "Cora" Johanna Bouwer

Age 90, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on September 4, 2015. Cora was born in Delft, Netherlands, in 1925, to a close-knit family of 7 brothers and sisters. After surviving the hardships of war, she worked as a civilian for the Royal Dutch Navy at Valkenburg Air Station, where she met her husband of 26 years, CDR Dirk Bouwer. Cora and Dirk immigrated to Montreal, Canada, and later, Bellevue WA, where they became American citizens. They raised their family in Bellevue, which quickly became home with a network of wonderful neighbors and good friends. Family, traveling, cruising the family sailboat, the Cutty Sark, and Friday nights at Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club were her passions. Cora never missed making a birthday phone call or remembering an anniversary. After Dirk’s death, she continued to travel, spend time with family and watch her grandchildren grow. Cora was an avid reader, loved to socialize, have a glass of wine and stay up late discussing the world. She had a wonderful smile and sense of humor that would light up a room. Cora reminded us that age is just a number and young is an attitude. Cora is preceded in death are her husband, Dirk Bouwer, parents, Henrici Schenkels and Varvarae Cojocariu, brothers Jan Schenkels and Leonardus Schenkels. Cora is survived by her children, Dirk (Jennifer) Bouwer of Seattle, Paula Bouwer (Bart Ronshaugen) of Bremerton, grandchildren, Keven Ronshaugen and Katharine Bouwer; siblings, Henk Schenkels, An Van den Berg, Theodora Karlas and Wil Van der Blij Netherlands, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and great friends. A service for Cora will be held at Sunset Hills Funeral Home Chapel, 1215 145th PL SE in Bellevue, on September 26 at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Washington Vocational Services, WVS Deaf Services, www.wvs.org