Shirley Leigh Bowers

Shirley L. Bowers, 85, passed away peacefully at home from Parkinson's disease on December 26, 2015, surrounded by her family. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Harold "Buzz" Bowers, her son Mark (Patty) Bowers of Sunnyvale, CA and daughter Marla Bowers Sullivan of Denver. She is also survived by her sister, Betty Jo Wilkening of Grand Junction and 16 nieces and nephews. Grandchildren include Krystal (Ryan Shields) Bowers of Santa Clara, CA and Lili (David Hoenig) Bowers of Bend, OR, Nora (Aaron Swaney) Sullivan of Minneapolis, MN, and a beloved great grandson, Jackson Shields.

Shirley was born in 1930 in Otterville, MO, graduated from Central Missouri State College and earned a Master's degree from Colorado State University. Shirley and Buzz met Christmas caroling in Casablanca, Morocco, and were married in Otterville, MO the following year. In addition to Morocco, Shirley and Buzz lived in Florida, Bermuda, Wyoming, Ohio and Nigeria prior to settling in Douglas County. They traveled twice around the world as staff on Semester at Sea in 1992 and 1994. Shirley lived in Franktown and Castle Rock for 46 years and taught business at Douglas County HS from 1969 to 1983 and Ponderosa HS from 1983 to 1987.

After retiring from teaching, Shirley was a devoted volunteer for 13 years for the Douglas County Sheriff Inmate Tutoring program in their GED prep initiative. She also taught English as a Second Language as a Douglas County Library volunteer. She served as treasurer for the Douglas County chapter of the American Association of University Women and was organist for Hilltop Community Church for many years. Shirley was an avid bird watcher and a Raider-hatin' Broncos fan.

Shirley spent her life learning and teaching. She was insatiably curious for all of her 85 years, studying birds, faraway lands, and current events. And though she devoted her professional life to education, her greatest lessons were delivered through her daily demonstrations of patience, strength, and kindness.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 15 at the United Church of Christ Parker Hilltop, 10926 E. Democrat Road, Parker, CO 80134. Shirley asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the United Church of Christ Parker Hilltop, (address above) or La Puente Home, 913 State Ave., Alamosa, CO 81101.