Patricia Ellen Bowie

Obituary for Patricia Ellen Bowie (12 Oct 1961 to 14 Oct 2022)

Patti Bowie, a devoted and loving mother, a professional director that everyone wanted on their team, and, most importantly, a faith-filled inspiration to all who knew her, died peacefully in Seattle, Washington on October 14th, 2022, after an eight-year battle with cancer.

Born on October 12th, 1961, Patti grew up in Federal Way, Washington, where she attended the local Catholic School at St. Vincent de Paul Parish and then graduated from Federal Way High School. She took great pride in her studies in accounting at Washington State University and remained a loyal Cougar throughout her life.

After graduation in 1984, she dabbled just long enough at a “big eight” accounting firm to know that her pathway in life would diverge from corporate accounting. She moved into the telecommunication industry and quickly established herself as a top-notch billing analyst during the heyday of corporate decentralization and mergers. Known as a terrific colleague and mentor, as well as a consummate puzzle solver, she was always at the top of her game in the industry. Over time, she rose to the position of Director of Billing Analysis, a position where she probably found more comfort in the analysis than in the directing. Still, in the words of one of her colleagues, “Patti was a force.” Over almost 30 years in the telecommunication industry, she was extremely well respected and was always on the go designing new processes and protocols.

Away from work, Patti was a veritable “energizer bunny.” Among her many talents, Patti had a deep love of gardening that followed her to various homes over the years. Beginning with a small house with a few flower gardens, she gradually transformed the entire yard into one large garden. She volunteered countless hours to the Our Lady of Lourdes community garden, and she brought her green thumb to a series of ever larger home gardens, bringing life and beauty to all her neighbors. Eager to be surrounded by nature, Patti was also an avid golfer, where she spent many hours of pure joy on the course. Faithfully watching the professionals on TV, she also enjoyed viewing other sports when she was home visiting family, as her father was a tireless supporter of Seattle teams.

But the greatest joy and love of Patti’s life came in 2002 when she adopted Elizabeth from an orphanage in China. Over an almost year-long process, Patti tirelessly worked to bring Elizabeth home from China to the United States in December of 2002. Visible in ways large and small, yet punctuating every day of her life, Elizabeth was the center of Patti’s universe. They prayed together every night, in good times and in bad, celebrating life and love together. Each night, their ritual good night included variations on the sentiment “I love you to the moon,” some silly, some solemn, all full of a love too powerful to name. In fact, Patti’s life was defined by her love for Elizabeth, her love of family, and her strong Catholic faith. She attended Mass faithfully throughout her life and she shared in Elizabeth’s educational journey through nine years at Our

Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, and then again in her Catholic high school in Florida. As a parent, leader in service, and benefactor, Patti was a force in each Catholic community she graced with her presence.

When Patti was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic ovarian cancer in Fall of 2014, she met the disease with unquenchable energy and firm faith. Through the ups and downs of the disease, where it spread to her thoracic cavity, and ultimately to her brain, Patti battled through intense and novel chemotherapy treatments, radiation regimens—including full brain radiation—and a handful of surgeries. Each round of the disease took its toll, so Patti and Elizabeth moved with her sister, Peggy, husband Dennis, and family (including 2 dogs, Macy and Hazel) to Florida in August of 2016.

It's hard to state how important Patti’s faith was to her, throughout her life and especially in her final years. When she moved to assisted living, she made it her mission to lobby for more regular clergy presence at masses and communion services in the facility; when COVID threatened to interrupt her steady presence at mass, she found digital ways to still participate; and when she was moving for her final time, she made two simple requests: please move me to a Catholic nursing home; please bury me at a Catholic cemetery.

Patricia Ellen Bowie will be laid to rest in her final earthly dwelling on November 5th, 2022, following an 11:00 funeral mass at her family parish, St Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, in Federal Way, Washington.

In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Patti Bowie may be made to: The American Cancer Society, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School Angels for Education Fund, or any food pantry.

Please share memories, photos & condolences on the Tribute Wall, located above.

Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle.

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