Sarah was the beloved daughter of Virginia and the late Dexter Bowling, sister of Amanda Bowling and Wayne (Caren) Bowling, and aunt to Melanie and Cody Bowling. She was known for her honesty, giving nature, and warm smile that touched the lives of everyone she met. Her immense support for others and strong sense of accountability earned her the admiration of colleagues, friends, and family.
A proud Virginia Tech graduate (B.S. Mathematics, ’01), Sarah embarked on a career in the healthcare industry that showcased her dedication and versatility. She began as a health insurance underwriter, transitioned into process improvement for long-term care and life insurance, and, with unexpected success, ended her career as the Director of Radiology and Imaging Services for a local hospital. Colleagues throughout her career recall her dedication to integrity, positive attitude, and her drive to help others improve.
After a cancer diagnosis in September 2021, Sarah transitioned to full-time cancer fighter and devoted mother to her two daughters, Stella and Savannah, and wife to Shep of 22 years. Despite the challenges, Sarah formed lasting friendships “on both sides of the chemo bag,” as providers and fellow patients came to admire her with the same respect her former coworkers had.
Deeply committed to veterans' issues, Sarah supported numerous charities in their honor. In addition to monetary donations, she actively participated in the Remember Everyone Deployed (RED) movement, wearing red shirts and sharing her support on social media every Friday. She also honored veterans by decorating graves on Memorial Day and Christmas and sending "Packages to Any Deployed" to show her gratitude and care for those in service.
Sarah’s cherished stories about family, lawn maintenance, and fishing brought smiles to all who had the pleasure of hearing them. Known affectionately as a local celebrity among stray cats, her legacy of feeding and caring for all outdoor animals will live on.
Sarah was a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Her legacy lives on in the hearts of those who knew her best, each memory a testament to the strength and warmth she shared with others.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on Sunday, November 17, 2024 at Whitten Monelison Chapel.
A celebration of Sarah's life will be held at 3:00 on Monday, November 18th at Whitten Monelison Chapel with the Reverend Nancy Johnson officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Wreaths Across America, PO Box 249, Columbia Falls, ME 04623, www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
