Gayle Gehrke Bowman

Gayle Gehrke Bowman passed away on March 27, 2011, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho on February 4, 1938, the youngest daughter of Gerald M. Gehrke and Helen Haight Gehrke. Gayle graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in Elementary Education. For 13 years, she taught grades four through six in the Tucson Unified School District. After retiring to raise her family, she remained a committed champion of public schools. Gayle was highly involved in her own children's education; she served for a time as the president of the Parent-Teacher-Student Association. Music was a profound part of Gayle's life. She spent two years of her teaching career as a music educator, bringing her love of song into classrooms at 53 elementary schools throughout the district. For the past several years, she played the violin in the Foothills Phil, an intergenerational community orchestra. A devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Gayle found great joy in church service. She gave much of her time as a leader in both the women's and children's organizations. She was always proud of her Mormon pioneer ancestry, and helped coordinate regular family reunions to celebrate that heritage. Gayle was longtime volunteer at the Arizona Cancer Center, where she alternately gave solace to chemotherapy patients and received treatments herself. She inspired many with her unsinkable optimism and bright smile in the face of health challenges. She was a nurturing mother, grandmother and wife, with loyal friends in Arizona, Idaho, Utah, and beyond. Gayle is survived by her husband, Dr. Mark A. Bowman; son, John G. Holland; daughter, Jennifer B. Koop and son, Christopher A. Bowman; nine grandchildren and a sister, Helen Claire Mendenhall. Friends may call at the EAST LAWN PALMS MORTUARY on Thursday, March 31, 2011, from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 1, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the LDS Tucson East Stake Center on 6901 East Kenyon Boulevard. Interment will be at East Lawn Palms Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the University of Arizona Foundation/Arizona Cancer Center.