Beverly Bowman

Beverly Kathleen Bowman passed away at 72 years old at Parker Adventist Hospital on July 16, 2020. Bev was born in Fresno, CA on February 7, 1948 to Robert and Beryl Griffith. She joined older brother Barry to complete the family of four. Knowing Bev, she probably entered the world chatting and asking questions about everyone and everything.

Bev became a teacher after graduating from college, and she and her husband Ted relocated to Arizona where Bev began her long and illustrious career as an educator. They moved to the Denver area in the early 70s with their little girl Heather. Tragedy stuck soon after when Heather succumbed to cancer, and Bev and Ted later divorced. One would think this would destroy Bev, but those of us who knew her understood that while her grief was mighty, her strength was unstoppable. Bev resumed her teaching career in the Cherry Creek School District until she retired in 2006.

Bev had two passions in life: her friends and her career. If you were a friend of Bev's, you were a friend forever. She made it a point to learn everything she could about you...and usually shared this with her other friends. She wasn't a gossip, it was just her way of connecting everyone in this giant web of friendship she wove. When Bev began rehab for her knee, she became close to one of her therapists. Phil ended up inviting her to his wedding, and the picture of him and his fiancé is still sitting on her living room table. Another willing captive of the web!

In 2002 Bev became YaYa (honorary grandma) to newborn Wray Szenderski, the daughter of her friends Kristine and Stacy. She loved that role and that little girl for the 18 years she had with her. Just recently Bev saw Wray star in "Chicago" at Overland High School, and she was the proudest person in the audience.

Bev's Irish sense of humor was legendary. Blarney should have been her middle name! It tickled her to make outrageous comments just to see the look of confusion on your face. Is she serious or does that twinkle in her eye say otherwise? She was also a big flirt! When she was in preop before her surgery on July 15, she conned the anesthesiologist into taking off his mask to see if he was as cute as she thought he was! He was.

Bev was an atrocious singer, but you could always count on a rendition of "Happy Birthday" on your special day. Cats ran for cover, but the recipient smiled through the whole thing.

Ms. Bowman was born to be a teacher. She called her students "my kids". And when they were in her room, that's what they were. Even the most reluctant learners blossomed under her tutelage. (Two words you couldn't say in the class: I can't.) Instead of an apple for the teacher, Bev requested a potato in homage to her Irish heritage. And those kids took her up on that! Her yearly tea parties were legendary, and adults who had her back in third grade still recall those special events. In fact, she kept in touch with several of those adults throughout the years, and became especially close to Leah. Just recently Bev taught her to make a martini, Ms. Bowman's drink of choice! It was no surprise that Ms. Bowman was eventually honored as a Cherry Creek Teacher of the Year, an award she so richly deserved.

Bev was an active member of PEO and held several offices in her local chapter.

Bev was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Barry, and her daughter Heather. She is survived by her niece, Karen Uribe of Monterey, CA , her granddaughter-of-the-heart, Wray Szenderski, and hundreds of beloved friends and former students who will all miss her in ways she could never imagine. A celebration of life is planned for September.

If you wish to make a donation in memory of Bev, her charity of choice is Children's Hospital.