Julie Bridgman Bowden-Coyle

July 8, 1941 to Sept. 28, 2014

With family and friends at her side, Julie Bridgman Bowden-Coyle lost a mercifully brief battle with cancer while visiting her son and daughter-in-law, in Bellingham, Wash. She was 73 years old.

Born to Jack and Margaret Bridgman, Julie was raised in Marin County, Calif., attended the Katherine Branson School and graduated with a teaching degree from San Francisco State University. Julie spent the vast majority of her 35-year career teaching algebra at Miller Creek Middle School. After retirement she continued tutoring even into the final weeks of her life. She was respected and adored by her fellow teachers and the many thousands of students who received her instruction.

Those who know her also know her heart was inseparably tied to the people, the hills and the streams west of Yorkville in Mendocino County where she spent much of her life. From childhood to raising a child of her own and even into death she always returned to “The Ranch.” Through her, many have learned to love that place.

Through the years, Julie could often be found sitting atop her horse, smiling and joking with her sometimes irreverent sense of humor, bringing light into the lives of all those around her. She continually gave of herself to enhance the well-being of all of us who were blessed to have her in our lives.

Julie was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Margaret; infant son, Timothy; former husband, Lorcan Bowden and her husband, Phillip Coyle. She is survived by her son, Matthew and his wife, Lora; their children: Christina, Kashia, Randy and Robert; their grandchildren: Kianna, Malachi, Trevor and Carter; sister, Anita Fromholz and her husband, Haley; brother, Joe Bridgman and his wife, Rachel; nieces and nephews, Ann, Julia, Heather, David and John and grandniece, Alden.

A memorial service will take place late this coming spring at “The Ranch.”

In lieu of flowers and in honor of Julie’s love for horses and passion for teaching, please consider donating in her name to Animals as Natural Therapy in Bellingham, Wash. Visit their website at www.animalsasnaturaltherapy.org and click on “Get Involved.”

Romans 8:37~39