Kristin was an avid Friends of Cozumel volunteer and advocate for serving families in need. If you would like to help continue Kristin’s life of service, donations may be made to Friends of Cozumel, one of the memorial options designated by her family. A scholarship fund has been established in her honor to be awarded to students studying in medical, health or marine related careers. Or donors may designate their gift for “Families in Need” to provide medical treatment. Electronic donations may be made via PayPal or other options in this link: http://friendsofcozumel.com/your-help/how-to-make-a-donation/
Following is the Obituary from Kristin’s Celebration of Life service held in North Carolina on June 19, 2021. Other informal gatherings of Cozumel friends will be organized in the coming months.
Kristin Kay (Burns) Bowen
January 24, 1963 – June 08, 2021
Kristin was born in Royal Oak, MI to Leona and Billie Burns. She grew up in Southfield, MI with her brother William Richard Burns and graduated from Southfield Christian Academy. Following high school, she attended Olivet Nazarene College, where she met her future husband William A. Bowen. They were married on August 11, 1984 and lived in New Jersey before making their way to Greensboro, NC in 1988. A year later they had their first daughter Sara, followed by Mandy and Jake.
Kristin loved God and dedicated her life to His service at an early age. She introduced her Savior, Jesus Christ, to her children by reading them Bible stories and sharing her life experiences with them. Along with her faith, she treasured her family. She guided, counseled, prodded and cheered them on as they moved through school, sports and relationships. The family loves travel, scuba diving and sailing, and Kristin was great at planning and participating in those adventures.
After raising her family, Kristin fell in love with the people of Cozumel, Mexico. She was first drawn to Cozumel for the scuba diving, but soon joined up with Friends of Cozumel to serve the local islanders by exposing them to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and by performing service projects including offering school supplies, clothing and shoes for school age children. Kristin served God with her heart, voice, hands and wallet. She gave regularly to her local church, Friends of Cozumel, and other missionaries including Rob Kimmons and David Carter, both serving overseas through Pioneers where they minister to people from Europe and Africa. In addition to serving others, for the last nine years of her life, Kristin owned and operated an industrial sales company with her husband, where she served as president and director of finance.