Obituary

Jane Auld Bowen, age 100, of Spokane, Washington, peacefully passed away in the loving arms of her family on October 1, 2026. She died from complications after a fall and leg fracture.

Born Jane Marie in Youngstown, Ohio in 1926, to James E. and Alice Marie Auld, Jane had an older brother Robert and younger sister Alice, and a resilient extended family that survived the Great Depression. Jane graduated from the University of Michigan in 1949 with a degree in science, which she put to work as a medical technologist in Denver, Colorado.

In 1952, Jane married Channing (Chan) Metcalf Bowen, a fellow Michigan graduate, in Aldbourne, England where Chan was stationed during the Korean war. Together they shared 53 years of marriage. After living in Colorado and New Hampshire, they settled in Spokane in 1960 and raised four daughters.

In addition to supporting her husband and shepherding her children, Jane was a life-long volunteer in service of several important missions that represented her beliefs and convictions. Jane helped to establish the Unitarian Church of Spokane and served on the Church Board. She served on the Spokane Parks Board. She and Chan granted a large conservation easement to the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy. She volunteered for the local chapter of UNICEF. She volunteered for the Washington State chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Hanford Education Action League (HEAL), including organizing the Human Health and Hanford Conference that heightened awareness of Hanford’s radiation hazards. She served on the board of the Spokane chapter of the United Nations for many years and was active in organizing meetings and finding speakers.

In 1968, Jane began volunteering for the Health Department Clinic for Family Planning and was instrumental in setting up clinics in Spokane Community Centers. In 1971, Jane joined with other reproductive health activists to establish Planned Parenthood of Spokane and volunteered countless hours for the organization. Jane was the second Board president of Planned Parenthood and served a total of 12 years on the Board. In 1997, Jane received the Margaret Sanger Award for her instrumental contributions to the organization’s success, which continues today.

After her husband’s death in 2005, Jane moved to the Rockwood Retirement Community and volunteered many hours at the Corner Store, establishing a successful business plan to raise money for Rockwood residents in need of financial support. She worked with Rockwood leadership to assist residents with documenting living will wishes.

In addition to her many volunteer activities, Jane lived an active, adventurous life with Chan, her daughters, and close friends hiking, skiing, kayaking, canoeing, and traveling abroad.

Jane was no stranger to tragedy yet remained resilient throughout her life. She lost her brother, Bobby, in WWII, her sister, Alice, to cancer in 1980, and her youngest daughter, Lisa, to cancer in 2008. Jane celebrated her 100th birthday a week before her death, joined by family and friends for the joyous occasion.

Jane is survived by daughter Katherine Hanson, her husband Craig, their two children Drew (wife Cassie) and Karis (husband Gonzalo), and great grandson Lucas; daughter Judith Bowen, her husband Paul, their son David (wife Leah) and great grandson Marcelo and twin great granddaughters Cleo and Shay; daughter Betsy Bowen, her husband Peter, their daughter Mariah and son Jonah (wife Liz) and great grandson Finnegan; and daughter Lisa Campo’s children Abby (husband Garren) and great granddaughters Caidence, Isla, and Lennon, and Simon (wife Ari); and nieces and nephews, friends and admirers too numerous to count.

She left the world a better place than she found it.

The family wishes to thank Hospice of North Idaho for their care and compassion at the end of Jane’s life. Arrangements are entrusted to English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d’Alene.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to an organization that has meaning for you in making the world a better place.

A celebration of Jane’s life is being planned for Spring 2027. Details will be shared at www.celebratingjane.com.