Obituary of Ghislaine Louise-Blanche Bowser

A Celebration of her life is on: Dec 18, 2009 - 6PM to 8PM. at Christ Community Baptist Church 8016 176th St. E Puyallup, WA 98375 253-846-3000. Our Mommy (Mummy is how we said it) On November 30th 2009, at 4:44 am, Ghislaine L. Bowser passed away peacefully at her home with her children at her side. Our Mommy was born April 15, 1929 as Ghislaine Louise Blanche Slypsteen, in the lovely city of Brussels, Belgium. As a young girl Mom was full of spunk and talent. At age 12 her pastel pictures showed a true artist and as she reached the teenage years, she was studying music at the School of Juliet. Her focus, classical piano music. Our grandmother purchased a piano for this purpose – further her musical talent. Things change. World War II broke out when she was still a young teenager yet she worked with the Underground to support the Allies. In 1946 she met a soldier named Robert E Bowser at a restaurant in Brussels. The word is the entire place was empty except our Mom who was with her Dad. My dad walks in – sees the most beautiful woman he has ever seen and asks to sit at their table since all other tables are taken. Shortly after WWII she later married Dad (Robert) in 1952. Or Dad was a very patriotic man and eventually retired from the service. Back to Mom. Talk about change, little did Mom know exactly what she was in for! She had her first child Robert in 1953 while stationed in England. Then we transferred to El Paso, Texas where Thomas was born in 1954. Soon afterward Dad received orders for another transfer, this time to California – March AFB. Here Madeleine was born in 1955. See a trend here? Kids – all stages of them now?! Mommy was excited to be in America, though could she ever have imagined travelling all around the world and the states like she did? Amazing adventures and with 3 kids. Just around a year later, Warren was born in 1956. Well it was about time for another transfer and this one took the family to Germany where Michelle was born in 1957. After a short stint in Germany, back to the USA to Lompoc, CA where Diana and Denise were born in 1959 and 1961. Of course, another transfer came, this time taking the family to Grand Forks, North Dakota where we just happened to live for longest 3 years. During these 3 years Daniel was born in 1963 and Dale in 1965. Dad and Mom separated in 1970 and from then on, this 4’11” woman raised us 8 children on her own. Mom had worked part time during the marriage while taking care of 9 children (Warren passed away at an early age of 3 months, imagine that loss). Always a loving mother, she now became head of the household as well. As you can imagine, finances were extremely tight and having just moved into a new big house, well to put it bluntly, we lost our new home. We moved into house that was really built as temporary workers shack, this had to be a heavy blow to Mom and a good one as we had shelter. You could feel the wind go right through the house! We lived around the oil heater in the middle of the living room. Only one bathroom and 5 women. Somehow because Mom always saw the positive and being optimistic, we always had what we needed and she was always there to talk. A very strong woman! And a good listener. Mom took on a waitress job and worked as a janitor to try to make ends meet. Not once as we grew up did she ever complain about having to work so many hours. Tired, though always upbeat, positive and loving with us kids. She never missed a birthday or Christmas – somehow she always made these very special days for us, as with all the holidays. Mom had this unique quality of calmness and love with everyone, especially her children. There is no doubt in any of her children’s minds that she lived for us. She gave of herself so we had what we needed. Thom’s comments about Mommy If I had to describe our Mom’s attitude towards us, the song by Mark Harris hits it on the spot. The words are: It’s only for a moment that you are mine to hold. The plans that heaven has for you will all too soon unfold So many different prayers I’ll pray For all that you might do But most of all I want to know You’re walking in the truth And if I never told you, I want you to know As I watch you grow I pray that God will fill your heart with dreams And faith gives you the courage To dare to do great things I am here for you whatever life brings So let my love give you roots And help you find your wings May passion be the wind That leads you through your days And may conviction keep you strong Guide you on your way It’s not living if you don’t reach for the sky I’ll have tears as you take off But I’ll cheer as you take off This is how our Mom or as we called her Mommy raised us. We have been honored to have such a mother. She was always there when life dealt us a good or bad blow or to just talk with, she pushed us to do better – to give everything, to reach for the sky and spread our wings. She gave us great ethics and moral guidance by her actions. Not only a mother, she was our best friend, our confident and the one we looked up to with great respect. A celebration of her life is on Dec 18, 2009 - 6PM to 8PM. at Christ Community Baptist Church 8016 176th St. E Puyallup, WA 98375 253-846-3000.