Shirley Anne Bower, of Fort Myers, Florida and formerly of Ottawa, Illinois passed away at Hope Hospice HealthPark of Fort Myers, Sunday, February 14, 2016. She was 78.
She was born February 18, 1937 in Ottawa, Illinois to the late Alexander Kottas Brown and Angelina Brown. Shirley was very involved in all aspects of her children’s lives growing up including membership in the P.T.A. as well as serving as President of the Women’s Chapter and member of many charitable organizations. In addition to being a homemaker, she supported her husband in his career and managed his law office. In 1996, after her husband’s retirement, they moved to Fort Myers, Florida.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her loving husband of 61 years, The Honorable Alexander Thomas Bower (Ret.) September 14, 2015 and she is the last of her siblings.
She is survived by her six children, Deborah A. McGrath (Gary) of Ottawa, Illinois, Michelle L. Bower-Ono (Michael) of Honolulu, Hawaii, Pamela K. Ullstrom (the late Robert Ullstrom) of Ottawa, Illinois, Alexander, W. “Bill” Bower (Carol) of Fort Meade, South Dakota, Jacqueline Bower Garza of Houston, Texas and Brian K. Bower (Melissa) of Houston, Texas; she also leaves behind her twelve grandchildren, Michael McGrath (Quintana), Stephen McGrath (Mandi), Mark McGrath, Kevin McGrath (Casey), Alec Ono, Philip Ono, Emiko Ono, Krystina Bower Rojas (Edgar), Randy Garza, Nicollé Garza, Amber Orr and Alexis Bower; she is also survived by her four great grandchildren, Reed McGrath, Elle McGrath, Olivia McGrath and Zeke McGrath.
Visitation will be held 4:30pm – 5:30pm, Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home 1589 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers, Florida 33907. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis Xavier Church 2157 S. Cleveland Avenue Fort Myers, Florida – details are forthcoming. She will be laid to rest in Oakwood Memorial Park, Ottawa, Illinois. Online condolences and memories may be shared on her tribute page atwww.fortmyersmemorial.com.
Shirley is laid to rest in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Seasons.