In Memory of Jean Bowles

Stroke Support Association is sad to share the news of the passing of Jean Bergland Bowles.

Jean Bowles had come to Stroke Support Association (SSA) many years ago as a loving caregiver to her eldest son John who had suffered a stroke. After John again became independent, Jean became a member of the SSA board, and served many years as the Board Secretary. Jean retired from the board several years ago.

Long-time board member Bill Frink said of Jean, “I’m so sorry to learn of Jean’s passing. She was a lovely person who I admired very much.”

“Jean helped welcome me when I first joined SSA as a caregiver. After my first group caregiver meeting, Jean gave me a big hug at the end of the meeting and said, in my ear, to please come back. And I did. I always found her to be witty, down to earth and suffered no nonsense – perhaps that’s her teacher background speaking! She was also the one who tapped me to consider being Board Secretary as she was ready to step down. She was a treasure. RIP Jean,” shared Diana Wagner, Stroke Support Association Secretary and Board Member.

Jean Bergland Bowles, beloved sister, mother, grandma, friend, and teacher, died on Sunday morning, November 28, 2021.

Jean was born in Los Angeles, California in 1942. Her parents Clarence and Dorothy moved the family to Long Beach, California where Jean and her sister Christy grew up and attended Millikan High School. Jean earned her degree at California State University at Long Beach where she met her husband John Michael Bowles. Jean and Mike were married in 1965 and shared 49 years together filled with love, friendship, and laughter until Mike passed away in 2014. They had three children: John, Stephen, and Christy.

Jean worked as a teacher in the Long Beach Unified School District where she impacted countless students for 20 years. Over the years, she often received notes and messages from former students expressing their appreciation and thanking her for the positive influence she had on their lives.

She was preceded in death by her husband Dr. John Michael Bowles and their son John Bowles. She is survived by her children Stephen and Christy, her granddaughter Carley Jean Bowles, and her sister Christy Izard.

A memorial mass will be held on Monday, December 6 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 340 10th Street, Seal Beach, CA, 90740. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either the Long Beach Stroke Association, P.O. Box 8340, Long Beach, CA or the adaptive physical education program at Long Beach City College, 4901 Carson St. Long Beach, CA 90808.

Categorized in: SSA News