Sylvia Bowles

On July 1,2024, Sylvia (Ringstad) Bowles began her heavenly journey surrounded by her loving family after battling dementia for the past 5 years.

She was born in Fairbanks, Alaska November 30, 1950 and was the oldest of 7 children. She is named after her Grandmother Sylvia Ringstad, the first female mayor of Fairbanks serving in the mid 1960s. Both Sylvia and her grandmother traveled to Juneau, AK to deliver the 1968 Alaska electoral votes for the presidential election. Some of her fondest recollections of Alaska included living with her family on a gold mine, fishing for grayling for Friday night dinners, and playing amongst the streams and forests of Fairbanks.

She graduated with an Education degree from the University of Oregon in 1973. In 1975, she married Jim Bowles and taught school in Fairbanks until they moved to Boise, Idaho in 1977. In 1978, they moved to the Spokane Valley. During that time, Sylvia stayed home to raise her four children, and was active as a Campfire and Boy Scout leader helping many achieve their Eagle Scout and Wohelo awards.

Sylvia was very active at St. Mary Catholic School where her children attended. She taught 7th grade for many years and substituted when retired. She was a Student Teacher Advisor for Gonzaga University and enjoyed working with and mentoring future teachers. All of her children went to Gonzaga Prep and where she served on the Board of Directors.

Sylvia and her husband Jim have traveled extensively around the United States, Europe and Asia and have visited most of the National Parks. She enjoyed the summers at their cabin on Spirit Lake, Idaho with her family.

Sylvia is survived by her husband Jim; daughter Katie Gilles and husband Ryan, grandchildren Henry and George; son Jim Bowles, Jr.; daughter Megan Bowles and wife Jennie Gamble, granddaughter Jane; and son Jeffrey Bowles and wife Annie Brophy, granddaughter Marlowe. She has 6 living siblings in Fairbanks and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the loving caregivers at Ciel Senior Living in Spokane, WA. They went above and beyond providing care for Sylvia for the past two years.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Catholic Church, 304 S Adams Road, Spokane Valley, WA Tuesday July 9, 2024 at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow at St. Mary Adult Center. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.