Sarah Dowker had passion, dedication and optimism.

Academic Skills Writing Specialist Deanne Odney, and former employer of Dowker, said Dowker was an excellent writing consultant who was very sincere in everything she pursued.

Dowker died Jan. 31 at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Evansville.

“She was a great worker and was very willing to help anybody that needed it while working at the Writer’s Lab,” Odney said. “She was always very calm and friendly about things and she had a wonderful smile constantly on her face.”

Born in Saulte Ste Marie, Ontario, Dowker moved to Evansville to earn her Master of Arts in English at USI.

She had hopes of becoming and English professor.

She had three children and was also a member of the English Honors Society Sigma Tau Delta.

Former English professor at USI Sunny Hawkins had Dowker as a graduate student in her class and said Dowker believed being a mother was a huge part of her life.

“Dowker felt education is more than about just going to school, and her dedication to education definitly influenced how she would raise her children,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins said the skills Dowker learned at the Writer’s Room carried over into her classes and she could tell Dowker had a sincere passion for helping international and English as second language students.

“You could tell she had a real passion for helping those who struggled in English and made real contributions to the university,” Hawkins said.

Lecturer Deborah Yoder worked with Dowker in the Writer’s Room and became close to her.

She said Dowker loved to read and had a strong passion for creative literature.

“Whatever she did, she was passionate about it and she put everything into it,” Yoder said. “She was passionate about getting her masters in English and she was always happy, even if she was having a bad day.”

Dowker was also editor-in-chief of Fishhook—USI’s student-run literary journal that showcases students’ creative writing—and often worked with English Instructor Anthony Rintala. Rintala said he has worked at universities for several years, but felt insecure at first in his role as a faculty advisEr.

When he met Dowker, he said he was impressed by her charm, wisdom and remarkable enthusiasm for making Fishhook into something special.

“She assuaged my concerns instantly. Working with Sarah quickly became one of the things I was looking forward to most, and a very real point of pride in my life,” Rintala said.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday at New Hope Baptist Church, followed by the burial in New Hope Cemetery, both in Newtonville.

Memorial contributions may be made toward Sarah’s children’s educational upbringing.

Rintala said Dowker will be missed by the Fishhook staff. “Whatever Fishhook becomes next,” Rintala said. “It will strive to be something (Dowker) would enjoy, and will be dedicated to her memory.”