you will always have a spot in my heart,you were the nicest,most inviting and best person i knew, rest in peace
love, Jackson

My beautiful mother in law and Grandmother to my children~

You are missed every day, every holiday, each time I pass by Chuckie Cheese or Parisian. You opened your arms to me and my children and invited me into your family. You made anyone who visited feel welcome. Always gracious and giving of yourself, you were a role model for those who knew you. Faithful, strong, unselfish, kind and thoughtful you were. 
Rest peacefully in God's gracious arms.
Sandy

This is a thank you letter that I sent to my friends:

To all of you who have supported me and my family during this time,
 Whether or not you sent a card, said a prayer, came to the visitation, attended the funeral, or watched my children for me, sent flowers, sent food, or made a donation in her memory… 
Thank You! I am truly grateful.

My mom's journey started in May of last year and many of you (including my savior, Jesus Christ) have been with me since the beginning. The events that took place during my mom's last days were such a blur to me, I continue daily to replay them in my mind. What stands out most was the courage and faith that my mom maintained day by day. My mom always told me, “Never say Never.” Well, the truth is my mom never complained about her situation. She was unable to walk, her body was continuing to fail her, and yet she made sure that she was dressed nicely, make-up applied, wearing jewelry and sitting in her chair at the kitchen table right up to her last couple of days. 

Part of my mom's daily routine for years was writing the events from her day in her calendar. In honor of my sweet, nurturing, faithful, and very “classy” mom, I would like to share the last several days of her journey:

Saturday –My sister Lesley took my mom to get her hair done, just like almost every Saturday morning. My mom was wearing her mask almost all of the time by now which made it hard for her to keep her pretty hairdo intact, but we sure did try! My brother Mark, his wife, and their son Wayne went over to the house that evening to play cards and bring dinner.

Sunday –My nephew Robert took my mom to church, just like almost every Sunday morning. Our family was celebrating August, September, and October birthdays over at my brother Derek's house that evening. My mom made sure that she had a card for all 13 birthdays and she personally signed each one with her signature mark of “xoxo's.” 52 people were at the dinner party. Although it was hard to understand my mom when she spoke due to the mask, she kept on communicating via dry erase board. 

Monday –My mom opted out of attending mass that morning. She did get dressed and sat her in kitchen chair for the majority of the day. Breathing for her was getting more and more difficult so she agreed to let Hospice put her on a morphine pump. When the lady arrived and requested that my mom lay in bed for the procedure, my mom immediately shook her head no! You see, my mom hardly EVER spent any portion of the day in bed. Shortly after the procedure was done she was back in her kitchen chair! She could be stubborn at times… she fought and fought against the powered wheelchair, the medication, and the powered bed. She put up a good fight too and then slowly she would agree to the suggestions that were made by Angela Hospice.  

Tuesday –I arrived at my mom's house early in the morning and for the very first time she requested her tube feeding in bed. She made no indication whatsoever that she wanted to get dressed and sit at the table. Her breathing was continuing to worsen and the nurse, (Sheri from Hospice) came over to change the settings on the pump. While she was there, my mom asked if she should cancel her visit with her friends that were planning on coming over to the house. I asked my mom if she was thinking of canceling because she wasn't feeling good and didn't want to see them or if she would be canceling because she didn't want them to see her in bed. 
Then I asked, “Mom, what if Beverly was the one who was sick, wouldn't you want to see her one last time?” My mom shook her head yes. This is when my mom grabbed my hand, looked me in the eyes, and said through her mask, “Am I that bad? Am I getting worse?” I opened my mouth but not much came out. Thankfully Sheri took over the conversation and a social worker was in the kitchen talking to my dad. 
My mom told me she loved me very much. I was on the phone with my sister Lesley at this point and she was asking if she should come to the house. “Tell your siblings I love them very much… I am not going to go yet,” my mom continued.  Then she requested to see all of her children and also Tom Houdek (my late sister's husband). She also asked for a priest. We arranged Deacon Roger from Hospice to come in the morning. All of us were gathered around my mom's bed around 12:30 in the afternoon. My mom told us she loved us and wrote us little notes on her dry erase board. She asked if any of us wanted to say anything. Some of us prayed and others thanked her for being such a wonderful mom and for her unconditional love. Several times she looked up at my dad with a cute smile and waved at him.
Her friends did end up coming to visit her and my sister Lesley stayed over that night.

Wednesday –My mom remained in bed and visitors were in and out of the house. Lesley suggested that Dad sleep upstairs so Lesley could sleep in my mom's room and reposition her during the night. Lesley and I sat next to my mom for a while that night talking to her. We told her that even though she will be missed greatly, we understand if she needs to go. We asked if she could hear what we were saying and she moved her pinky finger, and one time she moved her eye a little bit. She would make a few sounds here and there and we just continued to talk. Lesley woke up at 2:30 in the morning and talked to mom for a bit while she repositioned her. 
My sister called me at 5:30 in the morning….

Now… my mom is at home with the One whom she has always put her faith in. 
I am thankful she is at peace. 
I am thankful for the outstanding support from Angela Hospice.
I am thankful for you thinking of me during this time.

God Bless, 
Tina & Family

I will never forget the lunch dates, shopping (always stopping at Parisian, grandma's favorite), walks to kindergarten, Chuckie Cheese days and sleepovers that included trips to Baskin Robins and games of euchre and Go Fish! I am so blessed to have had one of the most loving, caring, and fun grandmas out there. You will always be missed and in my thoughts and dreams, love you grandma.

Angela Hospice Memorial Service- February 10, 2013:

I was extremely fortunate back in 1950 to have met this wonderful, pretty girl. She impressed me so much that I travelled eighty miles each weekend to date her. Later I travelled eleven hundred miles to see her every two weeks when I worked away from home.
Shirley was a kind, friendly, caring, generous, and loving person to the many people she met through the years.  She amazed everyone with her strong faith in God. She left us on September 27, 2012 but will alway be remembered by her family, relatives, and friends as a very special person.

Dear Uncle Les & Family,
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering the good times will help keep Auntie Shirley alive in our memories and our hearts.  She always amazed me as she was the ultimate multitasker even before the word was even invented.  Love to you all, Sharon

It is hard to even put into words how blessed I feel to have had such an amazing “Granny”.  I have so many fun memories of her, I often smile or even laugh just thinking of some of the times.  I will never forget what turned into our escalator chase.  Robert and I agreed that we would meet Grandma upstairs in the Petite section of Macy's.  As we are going up the escalator to find her, we see Grandma going down the other escalator and try telling her to stay down there.  We were all laughing as she went back up while we were going back down.  This is just one memory of how much Grandma and everyone around her loved smiling, laughing, and having a great time together.  Grandma made such a positive impact on countless numbers of people and makes me want to strive to be as loving, generous, and faith filled as she was.
Love,
Carolyn

Mom,  It's been almost 3 months since you have been gone, but I still feel you in my heart as strong as ever.  I will miss you so much, but I know you will always be with me.  Love, Marilyn

MOM'S EULOGY

On behalf of my brothers and sisters,
Thank you all, including our relatives from Canada, for joining us in remembering and celebrating our mom's life.  As we see from the size of this group she has touched a  great number of people's lives. 
Mom's life was centered around her family, but at the same time she reached out and helped so many others.  While Dad was attending chiropractic college, mom was not only taking care of her own five children but she also became "mom" to the various students who rented out the upstairs rooms.  This kindness continued throughout her life, as there are now a number of different people who consider her to be their second mom.    So in a way mom had more than nine children who loved her very much. 
Being the caring person she was, Mom always wanted to protect us. She had read that it was smart to make a fire escape plan and practice it.   While it made sense at the time, we soon learned that sending a 12 year old boy down a rope from a second story window wasn't such a good idea.  Needless to say the others didn't follow.   On some days I can almost still feel the rope burns on my hands.  
Mom had a love of people, and loved to be surrounded by family and friends.  Whether it was playing cards or at a birthday party, she just loved having others around and her natural warmth made others want to be around her.
Despite her small size,  which eventually earned her the loving nickname of Little Grandma, mom was extremely strong.   When the family encountered the tragic losses of Dale and Darlene, it was mom who helped lead the family through it.   While she was obviously sad herself, her first priority was making sure everyone else was ok.   As she did so often in her life she relied on her faith for strength.  Throughout her life she embraced her Catholic faith to the fullest.  Through regular attendance at daily mass and  prayer, she placed her trust in the Lord.  Her kindness and willingness to do unto others was a shining example of God's loving presence to us.  Mom was the glue holding our family together and still is from above.
A lesson we learned from mom is when you give love you receive even more love.  Shortly before mom left us, she made sure to gather us all together one last time.   She told us how much she loved each and every one of us.  She had just one request.  She told us to make sure that we stay together and love each other.  Even in her last hours,  she was thinking of us and not herself.      
I would now like to talk to mom's grandchildren.  when you remember grandma, remember her many lunches and dinners and gifts to you, but also remember her unconditional love she showed to every one of you.  What a great place the earth would be if we all showed the love that grandma did. 
In closing, while it is clear that we are all sad and full of grief.  On this day, we should consider ourselves extremely blessed and fortunate, to have had her in our lives for all these years.  Regardless of whether you called her mom, grandma, sister, aunt, or just Shirley, she will always be in our hearts and never forgotten.   She has earned her eternal reward and is at peace in the arms of her heavenly father.  
I will now invite any family or friends who would like to , an opportunity to come up and share your thoughts or memories of mom.
Love Mark and Mary Ann

I have wonderful memories of growing up with my best friend Tina, her wonderful family and especially her mom. From the countless trips to Chuckie Cheese to the mall visits at Fairlane where she would always stop at Lord & Taylor, Norman Rockwell plates, sleep overs, eat overs or begging her to go swimming in the pool. I couldn't have picked a better best friend or best friend's mom to have had. She was an amazing person!!!  She touched my life for many years.

As a child I remember Shirley as a pure saint.  I was a bit to handle and many of the neighborhood moms would cringe when their daughter asked if I could come over to play.  Never Shirley,  she always welcomed all of us with open arms...as if she needed another 3 kids running around her family of 8( I believe) children already!!!  She raised each of her children with such individual respect and care it didn't seem that anyone was ever left out.  I spent the better part of my elementary school life at the Bowers where I learned a great deal from Shirley and the whole family about Love, Christ, Chiropractics:)  and what it feels like to matter.  She was an open armed angel among humans... she is rejoicing with her maker now and will remain on earth in everyone she gifted with her presence. Love, peace and prayers to an extraordinary family. Melanie Sliwka

We all know how special Mumsy is. I was always welcome in her house and she always made sure to recognize me amongst the large gathering that was usually there.  It was always a glass of Asti Spumante waiting for me.  We shared a special interest in collectibles and Mumsy would always show me her latest addition.  The thing that made Mumsy stand out was her ability to take everything in stride no matter what it was.  She had the ability to reach deep in the heart and look for the best in everything.  We had an earth angel amongst us that we will cherish forever.  We love you Mumsy

Nana, I could not have asked for a more amazing grandmother.  You are so special to so many people and you are always in my thoughts.  I spent so many nights at your house while growing up and I always had a great time.  I remember us playing poker or kings' corners and staying up "late" watching TV with Papa while you did your word scramble from the newspaper.  You are the most selfless person I know, even after you were on your feet all day preparing your home and a wonderful meal for your family, when it came time to eat you would walk around making sure everyone else had everything they needed before you took care of yourself. You were always so thoughtful, generous and accepting; I am so lucky to have so many wonderful memories of you that I will always treasure.  I hope you know how appreciated and loved you are and that you are greatly missed.  Love, Lisa

I am so lucky to have had such an incredible, amazing, patient, tolerant, loving, faithful, selfless, and “classy” woman as my mom for forty years. It's been 11 weeks today since you've gone to your new home. I bet you love it there, but boy; you sure did live a void here on earth. I miss you terribly and often find tears stinging my eyes at any given time during the day when I think of you. Whether I am at Costco, Hallmark, Chuck E. Cheese, Joe's Produce, Laurel Park, or 12 Oaks etc…. I find myself flooded with memories of you and all of our adventures. 
I am thankful for Dad and you can trust that we will do a good job when it comes to being here for him. God sure did bless me with two of the best parents. I know you gave God control over your life and I am going to do my best to let God be in control of mine. I love you mom, I miss you, and think of you all the time. Love, Tina

Nana, we all miss you very much.  I have such great memories of spending the night at your house when I was little, out to the mall, lunch, family gatherings.  I think it's amazing that in 33 years I never once saw you yell or get angry with anyone.  I can honestly say that I will never know a more caring, loving, classy lady in all my life.  I had a dream the other night that you were at Grace and Gabby's birthday party and you were telling me how "lovely" it was.  I wish you could have been there.
Love Always,
Deanna, Eric, Grace and Gabby

Dear Tina and the Bowers Family,
I wanted to express how sad I was to hear of your mom's passing.  Your mom and dad along with your entire family opened your home to me for an entire summer when I had no where else to go.  Your mom was a funny, kind hearted, strong woman and I am so sad for your loss.  That summer I was welcomed into a family of 11 that made me feel like a 12th member and I will always be grateful! Rest in Peace Mrs. Bowers and God Bless your entire family!

I really miss you Mom. Especially around this time of the year. I remember how every plate, sheet, nick-knack, towel and everything else was always replaced with its Christmas equivalent. I think of you often in the fondest of memories. See you in heaven some day.

Shirley Bowers touched my heart and my life with her love and generous spirit.  She taught me about simple hospitality and opening up your home to others.  Because of her, I have learned to host dinners for my family, cook Christmas dinner, and throw baby showers for friends.  My family says it is a downright miracle!  Shirley will be missed, but her legacy of warmth will endure.

This worlds loss is heavens gain. Shirley was the most loving and caring woman I have ever known. Shirley was my friend and self adopted mother. I love her so much!!! She loved everyone and always had a kind word and smile to share. I learned a lot about unconditional love from Shirley. I am and always will be a better person because of her love. I will miss her till the day I see her again, but I know that because of our connection with GOD through Jesus Christ we will celebrate life together again.

Our deepest sympathy for your loss.   Shirley was such a nice and sweet lady. Our prays are with you. I am so sorry I wasn't able to make it to the funeral home.

Cheryl and Larry Novak   (Brownstown, MI)

I am so honored to be a part of such a wonderful family. I couldn't ask for better great grandparents for Zoe & Jayce. We are truly going to miss great grandma, but will always have the wonderful memories of an absolutely amazing woman. She was an inspiration to everyone around her. We love you all!

P.S. Great Grandpa, Jayce wants you to know, that if you are lonely, you are invited to come live in his room with him.

We are deeply sorry for the loss of your loving mother. Our thoughts are with you all.
Ken and Judy Jones

I was so saddened to hear of Shirley's passing.  I felt very fortunate to have been able to work with your family.  I am praying for the Holy Spirit to comfort you all during this time and as time goes by.  I will never forget how beautiful Shirley was and how she always looked her best, even when she wasn't feeling that great.  Thank you for allowing me to help when I could.  You all will be forever in my heart.  Hugs to all.

To Tina and your entire family, I will always look back on the memories of your mother and how devoted she was to her family with the utmost respect and love.  May Almighty God grant her eternal rest and may He grant all of you consolation during this difficult time.  Please know that my family's thoughts and prayers for your mother and you all are storming heaven!  She was a great, classy, lovely lady during her life and is a role model for us all.  Rest in Peace Shirley Bowers.  We will have a Mass said for her.  With Love in Our Lord Jesus ~Randa Sharpe

Marilyn/Greg and family, we are so sorry to hear about your mother. This photo album is an incredible memorial to her life. May the wonderful memories of the past help you through this difficult time.

Dear Dean, Lisa and family,  I'm so sorry to hear about Shirley, I loved her dearly, and remember all the family fun we had together.  My thoughts are with you and I pray your family never has to suffer again.  God Bless you all   Clara Goldfarb

Dear Dean, Lisa and Family,           My heart, prayers and love are with you at this time.  May you find comfort in knowing she is home with the angels and she will always be watching over you.

Carol Renouf

Dear Dean, Lisa and family,  I'm so sorry to hear about Shirley, I loved her dearly, and remember all the family fun we had together.  My thoughts are with you and I pray your family never has to suffer again.  God Bless you all.                             
   Clara Goldfarb

Bowers family - I am so sorry to hear of your loss! I wish you peace and comfort in the loving memories of your Mom.
Love,
Mary

Marilyn and Family,

We are soooo sorry for your loss. I'll let you have some time to reflect and enjoy memories. See you at the cottage when you are ready.

All our love,
Debra and Mark (LaSalle ontario)

Dear Dean,
I am truly sad to hear of your recent loss and would like to express my sincere condolences to you and your family, I hope that you find courage and strength to bear this irreparable loss.

Dear Les and Family,

Our Deepest Sympathy in the loss of Shirley your Love of  Life.

God has accepted her with wide open loving arms to a beautiful, peaceful ever lasting home. Her suffering has now turned to Love and Peace were her Spirit will always remain with you.

Love,
Jim and Jean Francis Tschirhart    (Plymouth, Mi.)

Our deepest sympathy for the loss of your loved one.

Dear Tina and family, 
I am sincerely praying you all through this time of loss.  It is breaking my heart.  I  know how close you all were to her.  I know she will be missed terribly.  
Marti

In loving memory of our mother/grandmother, we love you and Jesus does too!

To the Bowers family,

I spent so many years at the Bower's household growing up, like so many of the friends did. It seemed like a revolving door and Mrs Bowers always welcomed anyone. I often think of her when I am raising my own children. She used to step over toys, laundry and not miss a beat. Always smiled and took it all in stride. She was so beautiful and a mom we can aspire to be like. She will be greatly missed. Love to all of you!

Dear Uncle Les, Mark, Marilyn, Dean, Derek, Leslie, Tina & Holly:
Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of Aunt Shirley. She was  such an amazing person and wonderful Aunt. I have so many fond memories of all the fun we had when "The Bowers" would come to the cottage. I am very happy that I was able to visit with all of you in the summer. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time and I wish that I could be there with you. With love,
Margaret Balaberda & family

OBITUARY

Shirley M. Caskenette Bowers

March 18, 1932 – September 27, 2012

Harry J Will Funeral Homes

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