Linda Lee Bowles Dymkoski, 71
Linda Lee Bowles Dymkoski, 71, passed away on Sept. 15, 2017, in Pasco, Washington, in the loving arms of her children following a courageous and dignified battle with cancer.
Linda was born in New Haven, Connecticut, on Oct. 20, 1945, to Eugene and Carolyn Bowles. She grew up in Woodbridge, Connecticut, and has shared many stories of a happy childhood including fond memories of her close-knit extended Italian family. Linda, in her early years, perfected the art of friendship and developed care and devotion to others. In her senior year of high school, she caught the attention of the new, handsome boy in school, Matthew S. Dymkoski. She quickly gave him her heart; they found to be the love of each other’s lives and celebrated 50 wonderful years of marriage together.
Linda attended Southern Connecticut State Teacher’s College until Matthew proposed marriage and their lives took them to Storrs, Connecticut, where Matt continued his education at the University of Connecticut. It was there they started their family with the birth of their first child.
Linda was fortunate, and her family blessed, with the opportunity to be a mother and homemaker to her young family. Her focus on family allowed her children to immerse themselves in all that the Pasco
area offered them. Her greatest joy was in watching her children grow, excel and experience the quality childhood she had so fondly remembered of her own.
In 1983, Linda began a 20-year career as a para educator in the Pasco School District. Special needs students benefited from Linda’s compassionate heart and feverish insistence of dedication to studies
that left no doubt they would find personal success. With Mrs. D you always knew you had someone that believed in you.
After raising their family in Pasco and finding themselves with an empty nest, Matt and Linda lived in Bellevue, Washington, from 1991 to 2003. She continued her career in the Mercer Island School District until they chose their opportune time to retire. They settled into a beautiful home overlooking Flathead Lake in Dayton where they focused on family, relaxation and their breathtaking views.
Following Matt’s passing in November 2016, Linda returned to Pasco to be closer to family and surrounded by her children as her disease progressed.
Linda will forever be remembered for her remarkable kindness; one who always put the concerns and comforts of others above her own. She was forever and optimist; turning the sourest of lemons always into lemonade. Linda’s final purchase, two weeks prior to her passing while receiving support from hospice, was a piece of wall art that read, “There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.”
Linda’s love for “her people” was deep and her devotion to family is reflected in those she leaves behind.
She is survived by daughters, Sharon Ramos (Rick) and Christine Towns (Barry); son, Michael Dymkoski (Christy); and grandchildren, Matthew Dymkoski, Bailee Towns, Mitchell Dymkoski, Blake
Towns, Benjamin Ramos and Sophia Ramos. She also leaves behind her siblings, Mary Cay Carrubba and William Bowles, her former daughter-in-law, Marie Dymkoski; and her beloved animals, Josie, Rusty and Daisy Mae.
Private services will be held by the family.