Julie Bowers

1964 - 2024

Stanwood - Julie Anne Bowers, 59, of Stanwood Washington, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2024 after a short hospital stay.

Julie was born on October 5, 1964 to John and Shirley Bowers in Portland, Oregon. During her early years, her family lived in Duluth Minnesota and Billings Montana before moving to Stanwood Washington. After Julie graduated from Stanwood High School in 1983, she went on to study Early Childhood special education at Western Washington University where she graduated with a degree in Pre-school Special Education. Julie continued her education receiving her masters in Early Childhood Special Education through Lesley College in Boston Massachusetts. Julie spent her 30 year teaching career in Everett Washington, touching hundreds of preschoolers with her compassion and patience. She was always a calming presence in each student's life, giving them structure within a positive learning environment. Her influence in their lives and those of each family is immeasurable. Julie retired from teaching in 2023 after a career filled with many fond memories, great adventures, and wonderful friendships.

Volunteerism was a part of Julie's being. Shortly after moving to Stanwood, she became involved in the Stanwood Camino Community Fair, helping in the Adult Baking area with Mom, as well as serving on the Fair Board for many years. The American Cancer Society was also an organization close to Julie's heart. She volunteered for many years in the capacity of Survivorship Committee Co-Chair for Relay and participated in Making Stride

Against Breast Cancer. She had such a great passion for service of and caring for cancer patients and their families. Being a two time cancer survivor herself, she could relate to each participant and was a ray of hope that they too could survive this terrible disease. The American Diabetes Association, the Arthritis Foundation and the Country Living Expo were also recipients of her generosity.

Julie was the family photographer, documenting all events and travels, no matter how small. Taking Atlas and Seven on adventures and creating memories for them through scrapbooks was a top priority. Her photography talent also came into play when she traveled as is evident in the many photos around the house. To say she loved going to Disneyland would be an understatement as it really was her happy place. I am sure Mickey shed a tear when she passed. Visiting relatives was also very important to her, making sure connections were not broken.

Julie was preceded in death by her parents, John and Shirley Bowers. She is survived by her sister, Debbie, her brother, John and his wife Lori, her niece, Jessica and her husband Rob, great niece Seven, great nephew Atlas, many cousins, friends and colleagues.

A celebration of Julie's life will be on June 22, 2024 at the Stanwood United Methodist Church at 2:00 PM. In Lieu of flowers her family requests donations to the Snohomish County Relay For Life or the Stanwood Camano Community Fair.