Our beautiful and beloved sister Jennifer Marie Bower has passed away.

Jennifer was born on March 2, 1972, in Long Beach, California, and died on August 23, 2025, in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 53. She lived most of her life in the same house in Stanton, California, until moving in with her sister in Irving, Texas, for her last three years.

She is survived by four siblings: Richard Joseph Bower, Daniel William Bower, Julie Bernice (Bower) Flick, and Paul Gregory Bower. She is preceded in death by her father Ernest William Bower, her mother Cynthia Irene (Daly) Bower, and two brothers, Ernest Francis Bower and David Michael Bower. She will be missed as well by her aunt and uncle and many cousins, nieces, and nephews, and others whose lives were blessed by knowing her.

Jennifer's life was a miracle. After being diagnosed with terminal leukemia at the age of 20 months and rapidly declining, she had a miraculous deathbed turnaround and came home to the great joy of her family and many people from her parish and community who had been praying for her and donating blood on her behalf.

She then spent the rest of her life defying doctors'—and everyone's—expectations. In spite of seizure disorders, brain tumors, and developmental disabilities, she went on to graduate high school, work in a pet grooming salon, compete in karate tournaments, hike long distances (she once walked a 14-mile pilgrimage!), swim with dolphins, travel around California, take care of many cats, play innumerable Monopoly games, and fill multiple notebooks with journal writings.

She loved miniature golfing, bowling, visiting Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, and attending Angels' games, especially when there were fireworks. For many years, her favorite thing to do after Mass on Sunday was to get a Slurpee from 7-Eleven and a newspaper so she could check out her favorite football and baseball teams in the sports section.

Jennifer was a gift to all who knew her, but especially to our mother. After a lifetime of taking care of Jennifer, the tables were turned in our mother's final years when Jennifer was her indispensable companion and helper through many difficulties and illnesses.

Jennifer's bright and innocent face, cheerful smile, and steadfast determination in all she did were an inspiration to everyone who knew her, and she will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, dear Jennifer. We love you so much and can't wait to see you again in the next life.

All are welcome to join us for Jennifer's services, both in Texas and California:

A visitation  will take place on Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and a Rosary will be recited at 5:30 pm at Colonial Funeral Home of Irving, 606 W. Airport Freeway, Irving, TX 75062. All are invited.

A sung Requiem Mass will be held on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Mater Dei Catholic Church, 2030 East State Highway 356, Irving, TX 75060. Rosary at 9:00 a.m., Mass at 9:30 a.m. Reception to follow. All are invited.

Jennifer will be laid to rest in California. Please join us at Good Shepherd Cemetery, 8301 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92646, for a graveside service and burial on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 12 noon. Reception to follow at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at The Hotel Huntington Beach -7667 Center Ave - Huntington Beach, CA 92647