Rebecca Ann Bowers

Rebecca came into this world July 16, 1959, and departed it November 11, 2022. She leaves behind her father, Charles Hand, and her only child, Thomas Bowers. She is preceded in death by her mother, Janet Muriel (Cummings) Hand, and her husband, Charles Bowers. She loved life and lived an active full life. During the last years of her life, she and Thomas were full time caregivers to her husband whose health had been failing for several years. The demands of that care caused her to neglect her own health, which ultimately shortened her life.

Rebecca was a healthy, outgoing person from a baby on her entire life. She was such an attractive baby that a local photographer wanted to use her as “Baby New Year,” 1960, in an advertisement. Her mother put her foot down, knowing that a picture wearing only a ribbon would be a life time embarrassment.

She grew up in Seattle’s Highland Park neighborhood, attended Highland Park Elementary, where her mother taught, then Denny Middle School and Chief Sealth High School. She then attended South Seattle Community College in general studies, where she met her future husband.

Her outgoing manner and natural good looks earned her first princess in the Miss Burien beauty contest. At the same time, she decided to use her experience in girls soccer to try out for the men’s soccer team at South Seattle Community College and earned a spot.

She married Charles in 1980, and worked to support him while he finished college while studying Computer Sciences. He worked for the State as a programmer, while Rebecca held a variety of jobs. She took advantage of those years to explore and travel around Washington, often returning with her car loaded with produce and fruit, which she distributed to friends and charities. During those years she gave birth to her only child, Thomas, named after his grandfather, Thomas Bowers. Shortly after, Charles Bowers suffered a stroke which left him wheelchair-bound and the focus of her life was shifted to full time caregiver.

Charles Bowers later passed away, allowing Rebecca to begin to care for her own well-being, but was never able to recover her health.

Caregivers lay down one day of life in exchange for each day of care for a loved one. No one has greater love. We are left with the legacy of a caring, loving person who loved life and those around her.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.millsandmillsfunerals.com for the Bowers family.