Published in the October 5, 2017 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Marilyn Eunice Bowen (Anderson), 89, of Wakefield, passed away peacefully at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital on September 30, 2017. Born in Melrose on July 5, 1928, Marilyn was the daughter of the late J. Pauline (Shumway) & Randall T. Anderson.
Marilyn was a graduate of Wakefield High School Class of 1946. Marilyn grew up in Wakefield, where she was a Past Worthy Advisor for the Wakefield Assembly #43 Order of the Rainbow Girls and then a proud member of Harmony Chapter #60 before moving on to the Priscilla Chapter #52 in Reading. She was also an active member of the Wednesday Night Bowling League where she also served as Treasurer for a number of years. She and her family were long time members of the Greenwood Union Church where she was an active member of the Harmony Wheel who also served as the Treasurer. Marilyn worked for most of her life in banking starting at the Wakefield Trust Company and ending her work career at the Bank of America. She also worked for the Town of Wakefield in a couple of capacities: She worked in the Town Hall helping in the Town Clerk’s Office off and on since the mid-eighties as well as a Head Warden where she was responsible for securing all the supplies needed for all Precincts. She was Warden for her own Precinct #4 at the Most Blessed Sacrament Church on Main Street. She also worked in Retail at Macy’s at the Burlington Mall. For many years while her family was young, Marilyn and her husband were foster parents to many children. She was an avid knitter, crocheter and loved to sew. She also enjoyed card games, especially playing Pokeno “with the neighborhood girls” and Bonanza with her husband and friends. Marilyn was a very strong willed woman who cherished her independence and lived her life on her terms. In her later years, she filled her days reading, doing crossword puzzles, following the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots, bowling, and going out to eat with her friends, but most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family. Her grandchildren gave her the most joy, especially monitoring their academic, athletic, dance and personal accomplishments as they transformed into young adults and she was very proud of her newest title – Great Grandmother.
Marilyn was the devoted Mother of: David L. (Ann), of Wakefield, Lisa Noll (Stephen), of Sandwich, and Mark (Kelli) of Burlington. She was the loving Grandmother to her Grandchildren: Dennis, Brett (Katie), Kendra, Julie Gariepy (Ross), April, Isabel, Jason, and Great Grandmother to Henry Neil Gariepy. She was also the sister of Jean D. Brodeur (Richard) of Londonderry, New Hampshire and Aunt to several nieces and nephews. Marilyn is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Melvin R. Bowen, her sisters, Muriel Greta Anderson, Gloria L. Beane and her husband Leo F. Beane, her brother-in-law Donald Bowen and sister-in-law Muriel F. Charles.
Her Funeral Service and Celebration of Life will be held in The First Baptist Church, 8 Lafayette St. Wakefield on Friday at 11 a.m. Visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield on Thursday from 4 – 7 p.m. Interment will be at Forest Glade Cemetery, Wakefield.
