It is with deep sadness that the family of Patricia Bowers announces her passing. A private funeral was held on February 25 at The Charles Town Presbyterian Church, Charles Town, West Virginia. Patricia Bowers, 83, passed away on February 20, 2026 at Heritage Hall Nursing Home, Leesburg, Virginia. She was born in Winchester, Virginia on September 10, 1942 to the late Austin H. Bowers and Mary Mildred Louise Blocker Bowers.

She grew up in Charles Town, West Virginia and was a graduate of Charles Town High Class of 1960. She held a Bachelor of Arts degree from Madison College (now James Madison University), Master of Arts in English from George Mason University, and a Doctor of Writing Theory and Pedagogy, Martha's Vineyard Institutes of Writing from Northeastern University. She taught English at W. T. Woodson High in Fairfax, Virginia for 40 years where she served as English Department Chair.

During her teaching career she presented workshops at the International Conversation of World Literacy in Oxford, England and in Bordeaux, France. She also made presentations at the National Convention of the National Council of Teachers of English in Seattle, Washington, Boston, Massachusetts, and Atlanta, Georgia.

After her retirement from Woodson in 1999, she taught English part time at Langley High School in McLean, Virginia. She also served on the first ever Jefferson County American Cancer Society Leadership Council and participated in Relay for Life of Jefferson County for many years. When she returned to Charles Town to live full time in 2004, she taught at Lord Fairfax Community College in Middletown, VA. She also volunteered for Jefferson County Community Ministries.

On October 20, 2010, she married her longtime friend, Alden Boyd. He passed away on November 8, 2016.

She was a member of The Charles Town Presbyterian Church serving as substitute organist in the late 1950's. She was also a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Kappa Delta Gamma, Bee Line Chapter of National Association of Daughters of the American Revolution, and former member of Shenandoah Garden Club.

She is survived by two brothers, David Bowers (Judy) of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and Dwight Bowers of Winchester, Viriginia; nephew, Chris Bowers (Suzanne), grandnephew, Aaron Bowers (Leanne); God children, Madeline and Lucas Kropf whom she thought of as grandchildren; 1st cousins: Nancy Lowrance, Willam Jennings, Helen Smith (John), Elizabeth Turner (Larry Goedde), Linda Myers-Hart (Dan), and Dean Coyle (Donna) all of whom were more like siblings than cousins;  Cousins once removed: Deanna Myers Kropf (Matt), the daughter she never had, Aaron Myers (Jeni), Bruce Myers (Cam) and Keith Myers (Kristy), Melissa Stevens (Jason), Douglas Blocker (Scott), Rod Blocker, Kelly Brennan, Crissy Crawford (Terry), Kerri Smith,  Jennifer Thompson, Melanie Lamb (Tim) and Stephanie Case, Robert Hurst (Connie ) Dr. James Hurst (Barbara), Susan Edgar (Tom), John Lowrance , Scott Lowrance ( Tracy), Catherine Hoover (David), Deborah Rolewicz (Joe) , Elizabeth Knight-Smith (Brian), Matthew Turner, Scott Turner, Emily Turner, Graham Turner (Jaymi Light)

She was preceded in death by her father, Austin Bowers, her mother, Louise Blocker Bowers, and her husband, Alden Boyd, many aunts and uncles, numerous cousins, very dear friends, Dr. Mary Latimer Cordner and Patricia Kercheval.

Patricia's grace, intelligence, and gentle spirit touched countless lives. All who had the privilege of knowing her were enriched by her wisdom, warmth, and unwavering love of learning.

Memorial contributions can be made to American Cancer Society and mailed to Linda Myers-Hart, 111 Donald Drive, Charles Town, WV 25414.