EXETER NEWS-LETTER

Dorothy L. Bowen

Staff Writer
Portsmouth Herald

Cape Coral, FLa. - Dorothy L. Bowen, died Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014 in Cape Coral, Fla. at the age of 96. Born and raised in Medford, Mass., she was the daughter of Mabel Colter and Edward Sederquest. Called “Dottie” by most, she was the wife of Lester W. Bowen, who predeceased her by 32 years. She married Lester in 1939, and had seven children, all still living. They include: Harry Bowen, and his wife Phyllis of Merrimac, Mass.; Frances Bowen-Sanford of Burlington, Mass.; E. Priscilla Wacha of Portsmouth, N.H.; Christina Sophia, and her husband Stacey Gehman of Seattle, Wash.; Frederick Bowen, and his wife Judith of Cape Coral, Fla.; Beverly Bowen, and her significant other Charles Modee of Coram, Mont.; and Lester Bowen Jr. of Cape Coral, Fla.. She also leaves behind 14 grandchildren, and 17 great grandchildren.

After raising her children, Dottie worked for, and retired from the United States Public Health Service in 1975. During her long life she resided in Medford, Somerville, Reading, and Stoneham, Mass., and after her retirement in Hampton, N.H., and for the past six years, in Cape Coral, Fla. An enthusiast for new adventure, she led the Hampton Seniors tour activities for many years, traveling throughout the US, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia.

Best known for her social gregariousness, she loved meeting and spending time with people from all walks of life, throughout the United States and the world. An avid churchgoer, she served for many years as secretary for the Singing Church of Hampton Beach, N.H., was a long time member of the First Congregational Churches of Reading, Mass. and Hampton, N.H., and more recently the Faith Presbytarian Church of Cape Coral. She was an officer in the Reading Chapter of Beauceant and eventually became the last surviving member of her Eastern Star Chapter. She was also active in the Hampton Garden Club.

Throughout her life, Dorothy was a prolific reader, often finishing a book a day, and then complaining that there just wasn't enough time in a day to read more. Among her many passions were participating in local Republican Party politics and elections. She was proud to have worked as a poll worker for decades.

SERVICE: Family and friends are most cordially invited to attend a memorial service at the First Congregational Church in Hampton, N.H. at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014. A second memorial celebration of her life will be held at the Faith Presbyterian Church in Cape Coral, Fla. at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014. Donations in Dorothy's name can be made to your favorite SPCA.

Friends are invited to send condolences via the on-line guest book which can be found at www.MullinsMemorial.com.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.