Trish Bennett, Editor
CIRCLEVILLE – Colleagues are remembering Circleville council member Tammy Bowers as a dedicated public servant and volunteer who worked tirelessly for the benefit of the community.
Bowers, 59, passed away early Thursday morning after suffering a medical emergency earlier this month.
Bowers was nearing the end of her second term as an at-large member of Circleville City Council and currently served as the chair of council’s service committee.
“She was a community volunteer with a capital V,” said David M. Crawford, council president. He cited the Circleville Fire Department, Pumpkin Show, Berger Hospital and city council as just a few examples of her service.
“One of her hallmarks was she was a patient and compassionate listener,” Crawford said. “She listened to everyone’s problems, and their problems became her problems. Their concerns became her concerns. She was very good at listening to the needs of the people and solving their problems.”
Chief Marc Zingarelli, Circleville Fire Department, said Bowers’ service to the department began in the 1970s as one of the original founders of Circleville EMS. In the early 2000s, when EMS and fire began merging departments, Bowers was one of the volunteers that remained with the consolidated department.
“She is still on the volunteer rolls at the Circleville Fire Department,” Zingarelli said. “She also ran the Circleville EMS Auxiliary and did some fundraising and donations for us.”
On council, Zingarelli said Bowers often had to abstain from voting on issues that directly affected the fire department, but she used her voice when she could on their behalf.
“I can say she did what she felt was right for the fire department on council,” Zingarelli said. “She couldn’t vote for things involving us, but she was very outspoken for what she felt were the needs of the department.”
Mayor Don McIlroy echoed Crawford’s assessment of Bowers as a good listener who, as an at-large council member, served all the residents of Circleville well.
“She processed things very well,” McIlroy said. “As the chair of the service committee, she worked very closely with [service director] John Ankrom and later Don Sherman, and they had a good relationship. They all had a great deal of respect for her and enjoyed bringing new ideas to her. She supported the administration very well, and she will be missed.”
Crawford said Bowers was often quiet but did not hesitate to speak up when she had something to say.
“Some people talk just to be talking, but not Tammy,” Crawford said. “She only spoke up when she had something important that people needed to listen to, and they did listen. She was very well-respected.”
Bowers is survived by her husband, Brent Bowers, who currently serves as treasurer for the City of Circleville, and their daughter, Jessica. Funeral arrangements were not yet available at press time.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
