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Kathleen Bowman Memorial

Kathleen Bowman Memorial
Item# KATHLEENBOWMANMEMORIAL

Product Description

Kathleen Gail Bowman


March 16, 1956 - June 29, 2000




Love Lost: A Family Finds Healing


Kathleen (Kathi) Gail Bowman was the second of six children (five daughters and a son) of Harry and Ellen Shepherd. Her mother Ellen remembers her as a gorgeous and free-spirited child. Kathi was very good with people, kind, and not judgmental. She was well-liked and lots of fun. And she loved her dad unconditionally.

Married at age 20, Kathi began to develop problems with alcohol early in her adult life. Her mother remembers it was "a battle she just could not win" - but she really did try. Kathi drifted in and out of relationships while raising a son. She had been living with a man who later developed AIDS when, at age 38, she learned that she, too, was infected with HIV.

When Kathi died, it was so sudden. No one expected her to die so soon, not even the doctors. All of a sudden, the family realized how fragile life is. Now we all keep in touch. We say I love you. No more petty resentments.

We hope that be hearing her story, it will help parents talk to their children about HIV and AIDS. No parent should have the grief of their child dying before them. No child should be sent into the world without knowing how to protect themselves. It's no longer a questions of morals for our children... I just think they shouldn't have to die because of our government's policy on condoms.