April in repose, May 2006. Photo courtesy of Bruce Hubbard.
from Joann Frances
Benevolent Eastsound icon and former Mayor, April D. Bovine, died peacefully Tuesday September 18, 2012. Her 18-year residence was the field in the middle of Eastsound’s educational hub. It was here the quadruped watched over her beloved biped children going to and from school.
She showed her devotion to the children when she jumped, with all four feet, into the 2011 mayoral contest. People’s love and admiration enabled her to raise several thousand dollars for her favorite children’s charity.
April was always outstanding in her field, showing her love for bipeds big and small. It became apparent that her life’s mission was to bridge the gap between bipeds and quadrupeds with love and compassion. She wished the spirit of peaceful co-existence would be her legacy. We can make that happen in return for the love she has shown us!
April is survived by her adopted family, the inhabitants of a small island called Orcas.
She will be greatly missed, yet, during a full moon, if you look closely, you may see her jumping over that moon looking down and mooing with delight.
We are planning a celebration where adults and children share their love for April and all animals. We will let you know time and date soon.
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Now we know why we didn’t see April in her field this morning! We’ve always looked for her when we go to town, celebrating each sighting! We will greatly miss her.
On this Saturday afternoon, Sept. 29, there will be a blessing of the animals held on the Emmanuel/Community labyrinth. Call Emmanuel Church for details. 376-2352 This might be a great place to honor the life of April.
I didn’t realize just how much I enjoyed April…until now. Seeing her in the field just always made me smile. She was a GREAT MAYOR. Thanks, April, for your contribution to our community. You will be missed.
Yes, April will be missed. It is the end of an era when we had a gentle cow living in the heart of our village. But I hope not. It is a healthy, calming sight to have a cow living in town, saying hello to children, and I hope another cow comes along to grace that field before we forget how lovely it was.
In honor of April and her commitment to the children in our community, our family will be making a donation to Children’s House Preschool in her memory. Thank you April for participating in the Mayoral Race; you really knew how to “milk it” for our kids!
When I walked past the field late this afternoon, I looked for April, as has been my ritual. It brought tears to my eyes to see the sign and the flowers, announcing her passing yesterday. She seemed to belong to everyone in Eastsound, so it was only fitting that she won the Mayoral contest last year as a write-in candidate. (It takes a village…AND a cow.)
Jo — thank you for the great job you have done as her spokes-biped.
April was The heart and soul of Eastsound. We will miss her greatly. Thank you to the owner of the field for seeing her regality and wisdom, and letting us all have her as our friend. I will miss those night walks, seeing April lying quietly in the field’ will miss the afternoon sun reddening her coat, will most of all miss her calm beautiful face and presence. Oh, I hope in time we can have another cow. Animals grace our presence. We can all learn so much from the animals.
you know what would be lovely? some kind of online picture book of April. Bet she was oft-photographed. (that’s a gorgeous picture of her, above).
Oh, too sad. But animals seem to know when to go gently into that good night. THose of us left behind are the ones who feel the pangs when we no longer see April’s mooving presence.My favorite memory of her was this summer, as she lay in the grass in the warm sun, benevolently looking over the village entrusted to her keeping. RIP, old girl, you are sorely missed.
RIP April. You were a wonderful mayor and a strong presence for the rural character of our island. My favorite April story involves some silly urban tourists who asked a local if the beast in that field was a buffalo. The local, tongue-in-cheek, assured the tourists that yes, indeed, the shaggy brown creature was a buffalo, and they should take many pictures.
Holy Cow. I’m sure she is now Saint April, for all of her
good works in the field.
Giving love and comfort to all creatures passing by is surely a saintly mission from a Holy Cow! And blessings on those who served and cared for her tirelessly, Joanne and friends.
I knew the time would come one day when I would drive by and say “Hi April ” as I did
all the time, and she wouldn’t be there.
That day came and I’m very sad. I’m sure she will be missed by everyone.
I know I will miss her.
She was a cool cow.
Many thanks to Joann Francis for all she did for April for so many years.
What a wonderful and caring person.
I just love whomever put the pearls on the flower “vase” I miss her. Jean Soderquist
Joann put the pearls on the “vase”.
How sweet and thoughtful Joann is.
april my blue mooon cow how sweet she was! her blue portrait hangs over the coffe pot in my kitchen, so every morning i am reminded what beauty there is on this earth! thank you april and thank you strudel for all you do