Sudden death of Perth Reverend leaves community heartbroken
Emily Bowser, who was the Reverend at St Nicholas' Anglican Church in Floreat, died suddenly last week.
'We are shocked and saddened by the news of the sudden death of The Reverend Emily Bowser on 22 July,' Anglican Archbishop Kay Goldsworthy said in a statement to Western Suburbs Weekly.
She said the Anglican Church remained in shock at Ms Bowser's death.
Ms Bowser, who joined the Floreat parish in February last year, was remembered for her comfort and support to the wider Floreat community in the wake of the Petelczyc tragedy. Rev. Emily Bowser at Nicholas Anglican Church in Berkeley Crescent. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian
'She led a service of lament and hope at the time and both community leaders and those in the local neighbourhood were able to come together to pray, remember and seek comfort together.
'Anglicans are now keeping Emily and her family in our prayers, thankful for her life and confident in the grace of God's eternal love.'
The candlelit vigil in Floreat that followed the shocking double-murder brought together domestic violence-victim survivors and mourners, along with community leaders including then Women's Interests Minister Sue Ellery, Curtin MP Kate Chaney and Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas.
The church, just doors away from the crime scene, also opened for mourners who may need 'someone to talk to.'
'The doors are open ... I'm making the church available for all who need it and just someone to talk to if they need it,' Ms Bowser said at the time.
'It's what my calling says to do, and it's what is the right thing to do, to just be present and available for all who might need it ... it's just a matter of caring for people and being with them and alongside them.'
The Floreat church, with the assistance of its Family and Domestic Violence Working Group, added a purple bench with information about places of help for those at risk of FDV.
In her introduction to the parish last year, Ms Bowser said she was looking forward to meeting everyone and 'walking alongside you over the next two years.'
'I live in the beautiful Perth hills with my husband Simon, my daughter Sophia and two pampered house cats. I also have an adult son who lives away from home,' she wrote.
Ms Bowser began training for ministry in 2020 and served in placement with Amana Living in 2022, working alongside the chaplain at St George's Care in Bayswater.
She also studied at Murdoch University, graduating with a diploma in theology, and maintained a personal adoration for painting.
'I have loved painting since early childhood and worked in different mediums, including watercolour, egg tempera, and mixed media,' she said.
'I still paint when I have the time, and my art is inspired by my love of nature, history, theology and literature, particularly poetry. I enjoy crafty hobbies such as papercraft, sewing, quilting and embroidery in my free time.'
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