Janet Gail Bowles

Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Janet Gale (Hufford) Bowles, 90, of Jackson, Michigan, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on February 9, 2026. She was immensely proud of her family and loved being a grandmother, sharing special moments with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the final years of her life chatting over coffee and sharing a laugh. She will be greatly missed by all.

She was born in Michigan and raised in East Lansing where the beautiful campus of Michigan State was her playground. As an avid animal lover, she often volunteered at the Vet Clinic on campus and attended horse shows at the pavilion. Animals were always a special part of her life from pets to breeding and raising pure bred cats and dogs. As a young adult she was introduced to and came to love spending her leisure time at Little Wolf Lake in Grass Lake, Michigan for year-round outdoor fun. With a family of her own It became a tradition to spend the summer months staying at the family cottage on the lake where she hosted gatherings for family and friends.

She was a very devoted mother who raised her 3 children in Vienna, Virginia where she was active in bowling leagues and bridge clubs, as well as, serving as president of the Cat Fanciers Club and as a Cub Scout Den Mother. A wonderful baker, she drew many neighborhood kids to her home not only for her cookies, but also the welcoming and fun atmosphere she created. She was always an active person with many varied hobbies and interests including reading, opera, caring for her beloved pets, and the fabric arts. Over her lifetime she made many quilts, as well as knitting and crocheting afghans, hats, and scarves gifted to and cherished by family and friends.

It was in the 1980's she moved to Pinellas Park, Florida where she worked as a Sales Associate for Walmart in the fabric department. She retired in 2015 at the age of 80. She embraced the Sunshine State with enthusiasm and loved the warm weather and beautiful beaches. She also loved vegetable gardening and later caring for her orchids, an orange tree, staghorn fern, and other various subtropical plants she had while living in Florida. In addition, she was an enthusiastic sports fan who enjoyed cheering on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Lightnings, the MSU Spartan Football team, and liked to place friendly bets on the triple crown horse racing events.

After retirement she moved back to Michigan to be closer to her family and into Arbor North Living Center where she made lots of friends. She participated in the knitting, crocheting, and adult coloring book groups. She will be remembered for her sense of humor and keen wit that she maintained even as her health was failing. Jan is described by those who knew her as personable, funny, feisty, and kind. When she was able, she looked out for and provided assistance to other residents of Arbor North.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Verne H. and Lillian (Moran) Hufford, sister, Betty Ann Hoffman, brothers, Jim V. Hufford and Richard M. Hufford, son, Stephen A. Bowles, and good friend Mary Banta of Pinellas Park, Florida.

She is survived by her son Jeffrey A. Bowles (Maria), daughter Jennifer (Bowles) Bostedor (Dean Sr.), grandchildren, Angela Bostedor (Scott), Dean Bostedor, Jr. (Carly), Michelle Bostedor (Josh), Samantha Bowles, and Styles Carnley, great-grandchildren, Matthew Zipp, Ethan Zipp, Maylin Zipp, Adalynn Bostedor, Stella Bostedor, Adam Bostedor, Sadie Bostedor, and ex-husband, Charles A. Bowles.

Jan will be interred at Oak Grove Cemetery in Napoleon, Michigan followed by a private family ceremony celebrating her life.

Donations in her honor can be made to the Michigan or Florida Humane Society.