Obituary: Bowen, Leah M. (Age 93)
She was born January 25, 1920 in Greenacres, WA to Charles and Velma Jaques.
Leah grew up in Spokane, graduating from Rogers High School in 1937.
After school, she worked as a store clerk and met and married the love of her life, Jim Bowen, May 4, 1941.
While Jim went to Europe during WWII, she joined the WAVES and was stationed in Washington DC.
They returned to Spokane after the war where both of their children were born.
After a short time out of the military, Jim rejoined the military, and in addition to Spokane, they lived in Arizona, California, and England.
When he retired from the USAF in 1973 they returned to Spokane to the original house they bought new in 1950.
Leah was a loving mother and doted on her grandkids and great-grandkids wanting to keep up with all their activities and events.
She loved the Lord deeply and, until dementia took away her ability, was actively involved in her church, and regularly reached out to anyone she thought wasn’t getting a fair shake in life She will be greatly missed by her family and friends, but is now free of the pain and struggles she had with dementia and is completely healed in the arms of God.
She is survived by her husband of 71 years, James Bowen; son, Bruce Bowen (B J) of Connell, WA; daughter, Christine Ard of Spokane; five grandchildren, Justin Bowen (Sheianne) of Mansfield, WA, Jared Bowen of Lynnwood, WA, Tavia Starborn of Oakridge, NC, Lance Ard of Williamsburg, VA and Shawnee Werelus (Bill) of Spokane; three great-grandchildren, Kaleigh, Aspen and Lara.
She was preceded in death by one sister, Lorraine Birge and one brother, Dale Jaques.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 6, 2013, 11:00am at the Hillyard Baptist Church, 2121 E. Wabash Ave, Spokane, WA.
Private interment at Fairmount Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to Hillyard Baptist Church or Ogden House, two favorite concerns of hers.