Katherine Lucinda Cook-Bowman 58, passed away May 20, 2009 in Phoenix. "Kay" was born May 13, 1951, in Topeka, Kansas, to Benjamin and Patricia Cook. Her family later moved to Phoenix, where she graduated from Washington High School and then from Arizona State University. She married Gary Edward Bowman August 10, 1984. Together, they lived in Winslow, Flagstaff, Chicago, and South Bend, Indiana. She taught elementary school in Buckeye, Winslow and Flagstaff.

Through too many trials, Katherine maintained an easy laugh, a will to go on, and a sense of grace that speaks to the nobility of the human spirit. In a world that treated her unkindly, she possessed humility, generosity and kindness towards people and animals, and little tolerance for the unkind or unjust. Always unassuming, Kay shunned recognition of both her qualities and of the challenges she had faced. She cherished the rich yet simple pleasures in life - the love and companionship of family, of good friends, and of animals; her home; good food; antique shopping; the neighborhoods of Chicago. In the end, Kay lost her life not to illness, but to human error.

A celebration of her life will be held at 5:00PM September 12, at 910 N. Leroux St., Flagstaff. She is survived by husband Gary, of Flagstaff, sister Corinne Cole, of Phoenix, and brother and sister-in-law, Ross and Reva Cook, of Winslow. Contributions should be made to an animal welfare organization of choice. The world has lost a kind and gentle soul.

Published in The Arizona Republic on Sept. 6, 2009