Published in the August 25, 2017 edition
MELROSE — Margaret F. (Myles) “Peg” Bowman, a resident of Melrose and Wolfeboro, NH, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 13, 2017, at age 91.
Margaret was born in Boston on April 15, 1926, a daughter of the late John J. Myles and Margaret (Lonergan) Myles. Raised in Medford and Stoneham, she married Frederick W. Bowman on November 10, 1946 and settled in Melrose to raise a family of five children.
Margaret was an especially friendly, sociable woman who could light up a room with her ever present smile. She always said “if you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours” and she lived that way for 91 years.
Margaret and Fred lived for over 20 years in Melrose where they made many longtime connections and dear friends. They enjoyed Friday night card games with a large group of friends who they remained close with for many years. After retiring, they moved to Wolfeboro, NH and enjoyed winters in St. Petersburg, FL.
Margaret and Fred were always busy. Church activities, parties with friends, trips throughout the country, and card nights filled their days together. Peg was very active with the Wolfeboro Seniors, serving as club President and never missing a bus trip. She also loved dancing, golfing, and visited nearly every state at least once. When living in Melrose, Peg was an active parishioner of Incarnation Church, and later St. Katharine Drexel in Wolfeboro.
True to her Irish heritage, Peg was a fun loving woman with a great sense of humor and had countless sayings or “diddies.” She ended nearly every lunch, dinner or gathering with an excited “what a party!” and took every opportunity to make a new friend, young or old. Supportive and open-hearted, she always had an open door for friends and family, and lifted up those around her with a kind word, or genuine smile. She will be greatly missed, but her impact will live on in the hearts of her children and grandchildren.
Peg was the beloved wife of the late Frederick W. Bowman with whom she shared 54 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Linda M. Hamblet and her husband James of North Andover, John F. Bowman of Meredith, NH, Carol A. Bowman of Swampscott, Nancy E. Porter and her late husband Bryan of Westford, and David P. Bowman and his partner Gail Batstone of Laconia, NH. She was the dear sister of Elizabeth Holmes and her late husband Paul, Jacqueline O’Connell and her late husband John, John Myles and his wife Chickie, and Marilynn Simpson and her husband Donald. She was the cherished grandmother of Jennifer Kirmes, Michael Kirmes, David Porter and his wife Rebecca, Kevin Porter, Katelyn Porter, Kelly Davis and her husband Justin, and Kimberly Bowman. She was the loving great-grandmother of Bryn and Scout Porter, and Marshall Davis. The family would also like to acknowledge Marilynn Simpson, Audrey Cox, Rick Godbois, and Judy Sehnal who loved Peg and provided immeasurable support to the family.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor of Margaret’s life for visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Friday, August 18 from 4-8 p.m., and again on Saturday at 8:45 a.m. before leaving in procession to St. Patrick Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham for her funeral Mass at 10 a.m.
For online tribute, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com
