HAMPDEN – Phyllis Madeline (Bowden) Howard, 82, passed away June 14, 2004, at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born May 9, 1922, in Orrington, the daughter of Harrison E. and Inez C. (Parker) Bowden. She was married to the late Robert S. “Bob” Howard for 57 years. She attended South Orrington schools and graduated from Bangor High School in 1939. She lived at Swetts Pond, Orrington, and in Bangor, after which she and Bob resided for 25 years with their five children on Center Drive in Orrington. They moved to Hampden in 1968. Phyllis was a member of Orrington Center Church, Millwee Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star No. 198, past member of the Maurice Miles Post Auxiliary Enterprise Grange, King’s Mountain Mother’s Club, and PTA, all of Orrington. At age 16 Phyllis developed a lifelong interest in her family’s genealogy. She researched past generations and over the years kept both the Bowden and Howard family records up to date. Phyllis said “When you talk of genealogy, your get curious to what they look like, who they are. One thing leads to another.” Which is why she took up photography and compiled many family photo albums. She also created a comprehensive military scrapbook to honor all those relatives who served. Phyllis enjoyed flower gardening, refinishing furniture, collecting and displaying old household utensils, state plates, and antique bottles. More than anything else, she took pleasure in spending time at the family camp on Newbury Neck in Surry. We, her children and grandchildren, were the primary focus of Phyllis’ life. She was always nurturing, attentive and involved in each of our lives. We could always count on her for as much or as little advice as was needed, but there was always a willing and interested ear, a Mom’s and Grammy’s gentle loving concern. Thank you Mom, for all of the moments of love and laughter, the traditions and memories. We will carry them, and you, with us throughout the rest of our lives. Your love is never more than a memory away. Phyllis is survived by her five children, Charles Howard and his wife, Judy, of Orrington, and their children, Corey and Daniel; Catherine Howard and her husband, Ernie Knowles, of Searsport; Richard Howard and his wife, Suzan, of Winterport, and their children, Stephanne, Alison and Mary; Dot Shepherd and her husband, Bill, of Sequim, Wash.; and Sandra Barton and her husband, Jim, of Kennebunk, and their children, Lindsey, Adam and Carolyn; also four great-grandchildren, Charles, Kaylee, Zachary and Ashley; three sisters, Esther Bridges, Sadie Sears and Mildred Pelton and her husband, Sherm; one brother, Kenneth Bowden; five sisters-in-law, Mary Bowden, Carolyn Howard, Arlene Glidden; Eunice Baldwin and Mary Long-Herzog; and many relatives and friends. Gestures of remembrance may be made to the Orrington Center Church, Mark Chellis, treasurer, 25 Center Drive, Orrington, ME 04474. Family and friends may call 5-7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave., Hampden, where a funeral service will be held 12 noon Saturday with the Rev. Robert T. Carlson, Chaplain of Husson College officiating. Following the service a time of fellowship and refreshments will be held at the Hampden Kiwanis Hall (Main Road, Hampden.) Private interment will be held at a later date at Oak Hill Cemetery, Orrington.
PHYLLIS MADELINE HOWARD
