Priscilla Ann Taylor Bowler passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 12, 2023, of natural causes. Ann was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on September 21, 1941, the only daughter of George Douglas and Elsie Taylor. She remembered with delight her upbringing on Millcreek Way and her days at Olympus High School with her two brothers, Steve and Rog and her best friend, Margaret Pugsley.
She graduated in art from the University of Utah before living in New York City, Paris and finally, Palo Alto, California where she met Ken Bowler. They were married in 1967 in the Salt Lake City temple for time and all eternity.
They moved to Madison, Wisconsin where they welcomed their first daughter, Alex. Ken then began his career in Washington, DC, and the family eventually moved to Columbia, Maryland where Erinn, Chris and Zach joined the family and where they would live for the next 50 years.
Ann was born with an abundance of creativity and artistic talent, an adventurous spirit and a love of all living things and all people.
As a young adult, she loved working at Zion National Park, hiking, skiing, traveling through Europe on five dollars a day and making new and lifelong friends along the way.
The adventures continued as she raised her family, taking annual trips to the beach, trips abroad with Ken’s work and her favorite, a trip to Africa with her brother Steve where she taught dental hygiene.
Ann had the opportunity to paint the portraits of important people in the LDS faith including President David O. McKay in his later years and President Henry B. Eyring as a young boy. Her artistic talents were not limited to any one medium; however, and she created countless beautiful works of art of every variety, from her oil paintings to the clothes she designed and made to the amazing pots of flowers in her yard.
Ann loved her children and grandchildren fiercely and treasured any opportunity to share her knowledge and love of art, animals, cooking, gardening and design. She never tired of attending their numerous performances, games, concerts and recitals. She was and will always be their biggest fan.
Ann loved to laugh, and her laugh was one you would never forget. She laughed with her whole soul. She was smart, witty and warm. She loved being surrounded by people, and her home was always open to any weary traveler. She made everyone feel special, cared for and heard. Her empathy knew no bounds, nor did her gift giving!
Ann was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in many callings, and always going the extra mile. For years, she provided a meal every Monday night to all of the young single adults in her congregation. She had an enduring testimony of Jesus Christ and eternal life which brought her tremendous comfort when she lost her younger brother Roger several years ago and when her daughter Erinn suffered a life-threatening illness.
Ann is survived by her husband, Marion Kenneth Bowler, her brother Stephen Taylor (Shirley), her children, Alexandra Franco-Tuten (Eric), Erinn Balls (Adam), Chris Bowler (Ada), Zach Bowler, and her grandchildren, Spencer, Jackson, Jace, Anderson, Grant (Laura), Sam, Emma, Abby, Sadie, Annie, John, Lily and step-grandchildren, Marshall and Emerson.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her older brother, Harold “Hal” Jenkins, her younger brother, Roger Taylor and her nephew, Mark Taylor, with whom we are sure she is having a joyful reunion with loads of laughter.
Funeral services for Ann will be held at 10AM on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at the Cottonwood 5th Ward, 5913 South Highland Drive in Holladay, Utah. A time to gather with the family will be held prior to the services beginning at 9AM. Interment to follow at the Memorial Holladay Cemetery.
Funeral services will be streamed via Zoom for those wishing to attend virtually or unable to attend in person. You must have a personal Zoom account to watch the services. To watch the previously held funeral services, please click the "Watch Services" link above.
Dear Ken,
I’m so sorry to read about the passing of your dear Anne. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May you feel peace as you press forward.
Ramona McArthur Porter
Sending so much love to your entire family. Alex, your mom, had such a beautiful soul. No wonder the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. We love you!
My prayers are with you and your family, Alex. May you be united in Heaven together for eternity.
Krista Hoffman
I connected with Ann the moment I met her. She is a beautiful woman inside and out - full of love and grace. Sending love and condolences to Ken and the entire Bowler family.
Sending our love to your sweet family. We love sister Bowler so much and so many sweet memories of her ❤️
We are so sad to hear the news about Ann. We love her and we miss her. We send our love and thoughts and prayers to all the family at this time of parting. Ann had a sweet and powerful influence over all she met. Talented, beautiful, charming, and loving, she radiated the love of Christ to all who came within her sphere. What an example to the rest of us!
Those on the other side of the veil must be rejoicing to have her back again!
Sending love, hug and prayers to your family. Ann was such a wonderful person and will be greatly missed.
Ann was such a vibrant, dynamic woman. She always looked for humor (even during the hard times) and shared her gift of laughter and lightness with all of us. Ann and Ken opened their house to everyone and delighted in bringing people together. Thank you for the wonderful memories we have with you.
May the lord bring peace to the grieving hearts of the Bowler and Franco-Tuten family and may the beautiful memories and all the love of family and friends surround you all.
Sending all our love and condolences to the Bowler family. Ann was such a dear wonderful lady so full of grace.. May you find rest and comfort in your memories.
My heart goes out to your family. Ann was my first ministering sister assignmed to me. Her strong spirit and genuine love is something I'll never forgot. Her passion for life and kindness has left a trail of memories for all her loved ones. May we never forget you, Ann. God be with you until we meet again.
Our sweet Ann,
We will miss your sweet,warm ,smiling face. You brought so much joy and love to all of us in such a short time. We are so glad to have been apart of your life, as you have made a huge impact on ours. To the rest of the family, dont be strangers and visit often because you are now apart of this Grand family. Sending lots of love and prayers your way. Love staci, Kay ,and Ashley.
Your loss is so great. Wishing you all peace. She loved her entire family with all her heart. Ann was such a beautiful lady, inside and out. Always smiling. I will miss her greatly. Hug, prayers and blessing to you all.
Condolences to our dearest friends. I understand.
Ken,
My sincerest condolences. I was very sorry to hear of your wife’s passing.
Jimmy Hopkins
I read with much sadness today of your sweetheart Ann's passing. Even though I did not know Ann, I know you, and how you loved her. I pray you will be blessed with comfort and the love of everyone who knows you. I have always been thankful we were classmates. You have always been a great example to everyone and are truly a gentleman in every way. with much love.
Ann you will always be embedded in our hearts You are a huge part of our family memories. You have been like a Mom to me and a Grandma to Ashley, Tyler, and Connor. Thank you for being there for all of us - for opening your heart and home to us. We love you and the entire Bowler family and will treasure our memories forever!
We have often talked about the enjoyable times we had with “The Bowlers “ while we were living in Maryland. We are so sorry to hear of Ann’s passing and want to send our condolences to Ken and all the family.
Ann was such a beautiful person inside and out and such a great example of what it means to gather and love all. We have wonderful tender memories of her through the years. We will hold them tightly and treasure them always. Love and prayers to the family.
I am so sad to see this news. Sister Bowler ALWAYS made me feel special and cared about. When I received my Patriarchal blessing from Brother Bowler, Sister Bowler was there and she brought such a sweet spirit with her. When I was preparing to serve a mission, Sister and Brother Bowler were serving with the young adults. Every Sunday I felt like I mattered when they greeted me. Brother and Sister Bowler's marriage was a wonderful example to me of loving your spouse and working together to accomplish goals. I am so grateful that she gave some of her time and care to me in those very important stages of my life, and I can say with confidence that my life is better for having known her. I am praying for comfort and peace for Brother Bowler and Alex, and for all of the many who love Sister Bowler, too. I know that you will be reunited with her again.
I
l loved Ann because she helped me find God and his church. I know she's in Heaven because she was a true angel and the only one I knew on earth l lo ve Lorrai ne
I send my condolences and am saddened to know of her passing
What a beautiful example Ann has left us of how to live life and how to treat others. She was such a lovely person inside and out and we have been immensely blessed to have known her and learned from her. She will be greatly missed. Our love and prayers are with Ken and all the family.
Brother Bowler, I was deeply saddened to hear about Sister Bowler's passing. I still remember how much my youngest son enjoyed meeting the two of you when he first joined the YSA Branch fresh out of high school. He especially looked forward to the activities at your home and couldn't believe what gracious hosts you were. You both affected so many of the Columbia Stake members and we've missed you very much. (I still have quite a few youth come for blessings who are well aware of their older siblings' experiences receiving blessing at your hands.) You will long be in our thoughts, memories and prayers. I pray you find great comfort in your knowledge and testimony of the Plan of Salvation and the love that our Father and Savior show by allowing us to return to them and be with our family members forever. Sincerely, Rick Johnson
We send our love and condolences to the Bowler family. We are so grateful our paths crossed while living in Maryland. We will always remember Ann’s kind smile and generous heart. She let our boys take swimming lessons in her pool and they referred to her beautiful backyard as “The Garden of Eden.” Her beautifully arranged flowers and welcoming kindness left a lasting impression on all of us! Her fun sense of humor, faithful service in the church, her love of her family and friends and her Christlike life life will not be forgotten. Love, The Ipsens
The Bowler family is forever in my bank of precious memories while living in Maryland. Ann was a beautiful lady inside and out. So sorry for your loss.
Love and Prayers
Mary Jane
I loved Ann from the minute I met her in 5th grade. I admired her immediately. She was smart, cute, and I wanted to be more like her. My admiration continued up through high school. I can imagine how much her family will miss her and I am so sorry for your loss.❤️
Sincere condolences on the passing of a special spirit. Truly a loving, creative force to all those who knew her.
My sweet Ann. I can’t count the times we went to the kids plays, you never missed a performance, your wonderful FHE meticulously planned events, the many “accidental” calls you placed to my phone and just ended up chatting it up. You’ve always had a loving word, or gesture for my kids and I. I have our chats and friendship in my heart and memories of you in my home. I’m grateful the Lord grants us the opportunity to see each other again, where we won’t have to do our hair or put our face on. :) Thanks be to God for another chance to see each other again. Your sweetheart and family are especially glad for this perfect plan. I love you and miss you.
Such a sweet woman
Always a smile to me
Always a hug for me
Had a dynamic marriage with Ken
Such wonderful children
Ann, ya did good girl
Ken and family my heart is heavy for you all
Keep producing beautiful artwork on that side
Love you and miss you
“Kia ora Ann, he oranga whakamiharo I homai e koe ki to whanau”
“Farewell Ann, what a wonderful life you gave your family!”
Mark
How grateful we are that we had the opportunity to have wonderful memories with Ann. We love Ann so much and we will deeply miss her. Ken, we love you too and our heart is broken for you. . You and Ann were such a great example to Rand and me of a loving, kind, fun and joyful couple. Sending love and prayers to you and your family.
We send our love and condolences to the Bowler family. Ann will be missed so much. We feel blessed to have enjoyed many wonderful times with her and Ken and the family. There are so many memories of amazing events hosted at the Bowler home through the years. I remember celebrating Ann’s 60th birthday, a pool party in their backyard, where our young son wisely said, “Wow, look at all these people, Sister Bowler has so many friends!”
Indeed Ann has always had so many friends! She loved gathering with them. She always made everyone feel comfortable in her beautiful home. And she opened her home for so many events.
What a talented and remarkable woman! She was such a joy to be around.
The Bowler family holds a special place in our hearts. Ken, we appreciate you and Ann, your strength and example, and the service you have given in Maryland for the last five decades.
May the Lord bless you and help you at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
With love,
David and Debra Huber
Beauty was Ann. Her beautiful soul, personality, love, graciousness, generosity, laughter and artistic talents; she left us and the world more beautiful.
I love your mom, and have so many fond memories of her endless graciousness, joyful personality, and her tremendous flair! She was always such a fun person to be around, and although I haven't seen her for quite a while, I've thought about her often. Every time I redecorate, I think to myself "How would Ann Bowler do this?" I remember her lovely way of making everyone feel at home in her company, and the way she made Relief Society become the best part of my week. I will continue to love her and think about her, and I'm so grateful for her influence. The whole Bowler family is in my thoughts and prayers. All my love - Ann Wolsey Latta
It was wonderful to see all of you again this morning. It was a wonderful service and a great tribute to Ann from all of you. We hope each of you will be able to make the big adjustment to your wife, mother, mother-in-law and grandmother's departure. We send our deepest sympathy and condolences.
Dear Bishop Bowler, we are so sorry that you have lost Ann, You have especially lost her but so have all of us. She is a dear and wonderful lady. I am so glad we have our memories of her and you. Both of you played a large role in our family and we will miss Ann but since you have moved we also miss you. I still treasure the time Ann served as relief society president while I was bishop. She seemed to handle it effortlessly. We treasure her and you.
Words are inadequate to express how I feel about the two of you.
May the Lord be with and bless you. I miss you.
Thank you.
I am so sorry to hear the news. I remember what a good friend she was to my mom. I always loved my interactions with Ann … she radiated love and graciousness. Sending love to her family.
We were so uplifted at Ann’s services today! There was an abundance of the Lord’s spirit, coupled with the tremendous love your family shared for everyone there. We have been the recipients of Ann’s love, kindness, compassion, and genuine friendship throughout the many years we have known her and her wonderful family.
Even though we cannot see her, we will always feel the touch of her soul. She organized a memorial gathering in honor of our beloved Brian upon our return to the States. Her home felt like a sacred temple that evening. She was always looking for a way to soothe a hurting soul.
We are so grateful for the keen interest she, together with Ken, has shown everyone in our family. Our daughter, Gina, in particular, was given opportunities to assist Ann after her surgery, and also watched over their house on different occasions. Gina felt a special bond of trust and enduring friendship from Ann. And what a great honor it was to have Gina’s wedding reception held in such a beautiful home!
Besides the many other gatherings for dinner, ward and Relief Society events, Ann opened her home for a warm, fun farewell party when we retired to Colorado.
Ann had a way of making everyone feel special and loved. She always welcomed us with her big, sweet smile, with excitement, and open arms. Nolan and I went for a little surprise visit at The Grand a few weeks before her health turned for the worse. The long hugs she gave us there will remain close in our hearts for many years to come.
We were so blessed today at the service, having been uplifted by the remarks and prayers given, as well as by the beautiful musical numbers rendered. Every detail, from the moment we walked into the church building, was put together with so much taste and beauty, just the way Ann would’ve done it herself.
Please know of our love and admiration for each of you, and the deep sympathy we feel at this time of separation from your beloved Ann. She was an angel on earth, and will continue to be your special angel watching over you from the heavens above.
How we love the Bowlers and how we will miss Ann! Erin and I feel the loss of having Ken and Ann leave Maryland - it feels like there is a part off our own family missing. As so many have said, we have the happiest memories of time spent with Ken and Ann as they opened their home so many times to our entire church family. Such generosity and love given freely to so many.
Ann will be deeply missed though I take peace and joy from the thought of her feeling strong and healthy as she reunites with loved ones that greeted her return home!
Mary Greenwood
Ken
Sorry your partner has passed on; we lost a daughter in 2021, so we are surely aware of your loss.
The service for Ann/your Mom was so meaningful. What a thoughtful tribute to an amazing woman who meant so much to so many. Todd and I have made a donation to Red Butte Garden in her memory. We know she loved flowers, and all things beautiful.
Ann was so gracious and thoughtful. We have always admired the Bowlers and their talents and using their talents because they care about others. Her talents and decorating skills of years ago, at our stake relief society events are well remembered.. With the YSA’s we all gathered at the Bowler’s every Monday for fun and mingling. She is a gem and will be missed by all who knew her.
I am so sorry to learn of Ann's passing. My wife, Carolyn ("Kelly") Noble Stidham died on September and 14, 2022. She introduced me to you at Stanford. Your and I used to play tennis. We visited you and Ann in Columbia and later at your home on Capitol Hill. I have so many good memories of our time together at Stanford.
Sandy Stidham
shalerstidham@gmail.com
Hello Ken
I am very sorry for your lost, my condolences to you and your families, She was very sweet and kindhearted lady She will always be missed