BUCKSPORT – Alda J. (Bowden) Small, 77, passed away Dec. 22, 2003, at a Penobscot healthcare facility. She was born Sept. 2, 1926, in Seal Harbor, a daughter of Leeman B. and Ethel (Perkins) Bowden. She graduated from Clark High School, Penobscot, in 1943. Alda or “Nana”, as she was affectionately called by the hundreds of children whose lives she enriched. For more than 10 years she looked forward every morning to volunteering in the cafeteria and classrooms of Miles Lane School. When Alda was nominated for a Jefferson Award and was not chosen, the students and staff at Miles Lane declared a “Nana Day”, announcing Nana as their official winner. Alda talked for years about how much this outpouring of support and love meant to her. Nana’s family says a warm “thank you.” Alda, a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, was active in the Cub Scouts, Bucksport Chapter of TOPS, the Order of the Eastern Star, and Rainbow Girls, as well as being a volunteer driver for WHCA. Also, for six years she walked in Bucksport’s “Walk for Hunger”, raising thousands of dollars for Bucksport Community Concern’s food pantry. She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Keith and Kathy Small of Orland; one daughter and son-in-law, Jeanette and Philip Tardif of East Orland; three grandchildren, Kate Tardif, Jeremy Ashmore, and Adam Ashmore; one sister, Priscilla Bowden of Penobscot; one brother, Basil Bowden of Penobscot; six sisters-in-law; three brothers-in-law; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Alda was predeceased by her husband, Edward W. Small; two brothers, Albert Bowden, and Paul Bowden. Visitation for family and friends will be 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, 2003, at the Mitchell-Tweedie Funeral Home, where funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, with Pastor Peter Remick officiating. Interment will be in Bay Cemetery, Penobscot. Donations in Alda’s memory may be made to Bucksport Community Concerns, P.O. Box 603, Bucksport, ME 04416.
ALDA J. (BOWDEN) SMALL ‘NANA’
