Obituary of Patricia A. Bowers

Patricia A. Bowers of Rome, NY passed away in her home on Saturday April 2, surrounded by her family. She was born on February 14, in Rome, NY the first daughter of John T. and Anna Mae(Wright) Parsons; her valentine's day birth symbolic of her caring and generous heart. Pat was the Salutatorian of her Oriskany High School class of 1953 and graduated from Alfred State University in 1955 with a degree in Laboratory Technology. Pat spent her early career working at Marcy State Hospital Laboratory. In January 1960, at a friend's wedding, she met the love of her life Raymond J. Bowers. They were wed on November 12, 1960 at St. Mary's Catholic Church; a union of love and friendship that recently celebrated 50 years. Pat loved to learn and valued education; encouraged by her husband, she furthered her education and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor's Degree from SUNY IT in 1983. Pat worked for years as a Medical Laboratory Technician at Rome City Hospital retiring in 1994 as Supervisor of Microbiology. Pat was a devout Catholic converting to the faith when she received her holy confirmation in 1974 at the Church of St. John the Baptist. She was an involved member of the parish having spent almost two decades teaching church school and serving with her husband as a greeter at Mass. It was at St. John's she met Sister Joan Riley who became a lifetime friend. Time with family and friends was a priority to Pat. She thoughtfully planned the family vacations excited to explore the U.S. with her family by taking them somewhere new every year. She also loved the family camping week on 4th lake at Brynilsen's Viking Village and the "Kilbourne Family" parties with the Wogans and Scimes. Pat was an avid reader, though her ultimate passion was golf. She played in a number of local leagues playing as a team member on the Par Stars and Angie's Swingers and participated in golf outings whenever possible. She was a longtime member of the Rome Family Y where she swam with her husband every possible day. For the last 22 years, Pat and her husband have wintered in Fort Walton Beach, Florida which allowed to her play golf year round and take her daily walks on the beach. Surviving besides her beloved husband Ray are her children, Elizabeth Bowers and husband Gregory Karl, Brenda Bowers Copeland and husband Alan, Thomas Bowers and wife Kristin, and Kathryn Roy and husband Dennis. Patricia also leaves behind her mother, Anna Mae Parsons, siblings Brenda Reid, Jack Parsons, Lorna Wooldridge, Marialice Leonard and Sally Andrae and her sister-in-laws Rosemary Palliwade and Thelma Bowers and her cherished grandchildren, Samantha and Stephanie Copeland, Meghan and Katie Bowers, and Cooper Roy and "granddogs" Gizmo, Gidget, Abby, Beau, Bailey, and Roscoe. Mrs. Bowers' funeral will be held Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 11:00 am at the Church of St. John the Baptist in Rome. Calling hours will be Wednesday from 4 to 8 pm at Barry Funeral Home, 807 West Chestnut St. Rome. The family would like to acknowledge with deepest gratitude the services and friendship of Marla Reames who provided Pat nursing care at home until her passing. Additionally, our sincerest thanks and appreciation to Dr. Scott Brehaut and his staff, and Hospice for the care and compassion provided to Pat during her illness. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford, NY 13413 or the Rome Family Y- Aquatics Programs, 301 W. Bloomfield Street Rome, NY 13440.