Allison Bowers

Last week was very sad. Here is the first draft of the obituary my sister and brother-in-law very kindly let me write:

Allison Ann Bowers
(1999-2010)

Beloved daughter and sister Allison Ann Bowers (age 11) passed away in a tragic bicycle accident on October 26, 2010. She was born in Provo, Utah, on January 21, 1999, to her loving parents, Robert and Melinda Bowers.

Allison, a very spiritual, teachable girl who had read the entire Book of Mormon by herself, was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was in the 6th grade at Hale Elementary School in Mesa.

Those around her knew her creative and artistic talents; she loved to write, read, garden, and cook. She liked to eat homemade rolls, tamales, and guacamole. She was a peacemaker in her family and would take care of her younger sisters and brother.

Allison was also full of energy and enjoyed climbing, hiking, running, biking, swimming, kite flying, and playing tag. She especially loved playing with her cousins, and they have many fond memories of fun times spent with her.

She loved her parents and family and was loved by them in return. Allison always wanted to go explore new things with her father and she described her mother as her hero in a school assignment, citing the times they spent together reading, cooking, and painting. A younger sister said Allison was always there when she needed her.

Her immediate and extended family all loved her beautiful smile and her amazing spirit.

Allison is survived by her parents, Robert and Melinda Bowers; older brother, Robbie; three younger siblings, Johanna, Dallin, and Emily; grandparents Robert and Pat Bowers and James and Ann Tanner; and an extended family of 15 aunts and uncles and 25 cousins. She will be deeply missed by all of them. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Delight J. Bowers, in 2003.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, Nov. 2, at 10 a.m. in the Mesa 24th Street LDS Chapel (1911 North 24th St., Mesa, AZ 85213). Relatives and friends may call at the Bunker Mortuary (33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201) on Monday, Nov. 1, from 6-8 p.m., and at the 24th Street Chapel from 9-9:45 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be in the Mesa City Cemetery (1212 N. Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201).

For those wishing to honor Allison Bowers, her family has suggested that in memoriam donations can be made to the Neonatal Resuscitation Program of Latter-day Saint Charities or to the school library at Hale Elementary School in Mesa, Arizona. Allison loved both children and reading, and either program would be a fitting memorial. The family sincerely thanks you for your love and support during this difficult time.

To donate to the Neonatal Resuscitation Program, follow the instructions under In Memoriam giving at the LDS Charities website or go directly to give.lds.org/neo-natal.

To donate books for the school library at Hale Elementary School you can bring in a new book to the library and specify that it is in memory of Allison, or you can send a check that will be used to buy books for the school library. Checks should be made out to Hale Elementary School, contain the name “Allison Bowers” in the memo line, and can be brought to the school’s main office or mailed to Hale Elementary School at 1425 North 23rd Street, Mesa, AZ 85213. The books donated or bought will be marked that they are in memoriam of Allison Bowers.