MARILYN HILL BOWERS

LINCOLN – “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost “Country roads, take me home…to the place I belong.” – John Denver After many travels and many roads, Marilyn Hill Bowers, 88, reached her destination at “the Open Door at Journey’s End” Sept. 26, 2008, where she was welcomed “home” by her beloved husband, Linwood. Marilyn will live on in the hearts she leaves behind through the memory of her quiet grace, generosity, humility and wit. Because of her, our “long line of love” will go on forever and she will remain an inspiration and guiding example of a truly fulfilled life. Marilyn was born March 31, 1920, in South Chatham, N.H., the youngest daughter of Leon Theodore and Sarah Eliza Eastman Hill. She attended Fryeburg Academy, Class of 1938, and there met the love of her life. Through 49 years of marriage, Marilyn honed her trade – that of loving and devoted wife and mother. She dedicated her life to her children, their schools and their sports. Her passion for children only grew with the title “Grammie.” The Bowers’ home was a happy home for all who entered because served with all of her home cooked meals was a generous helping of love. Marilyn held a special place in her heart for her camp at Nicatous Lake “Almost Heaven.” She will be remembered each time we hear the cry of a loon or the song of a chickadee. We’ll smile at the taste of a freshly picked blueberry and embrace the breezes through the tall pines. If asked to describe her life, she would probably say, “I was blessed.” We will say, “She was a blessing.” Marilyn lives on in her children and grandchildren, Pauline Bowers of Clinton and families: Layne, Nikia, Sarah, Nadia, Benjamin; Linwood III, Tiffany, Matthew; Lee, Brooklyn; Lynn Marie, Nicole, Samuel; Amanda; Barbara and John Tremblay of Gansevoort, N.Y., and families: Anna, John; Johnny T., Danielle, Michelle, Meghan; Brenda, Alicia, Dominic, Andrew; Mike; Chris, Oliver Linwood; Beverly and Darrell Spencer of Nashua, N.H., and families: Scott, Clayton; Steve, Lydia, Samuel; Karen, Melissa, Abigail; Mary and Dick Pelkey of Lincoln and families: Johnny B., Jesse; Jimmy-James, Melissa, Jamie; Barbie, Sarah, Linwood; Philip, Brandon, Max, Justin, Nevin, Nolan, Bryce; Liz, D.J., Rickey; Penny, Samantha, Jeremy, Josh, Nick; Rick; Lauri, Brett, Andrew, Lexi; Joan and Bud Smith of Lincoln; Ralph and Gichie Bowers of Huachuca City, Ariz., and families: Nancy, David, Philip; Liz, Ralph, Rueben, Damian, Sean; Arlene, Patricia, Benjamin; Patrick, Kristina; Carol, Anthony, Jennifer, Nicolette; Bernice; Rebekah, Alexander, Jacob; Linda Gerry of Lincoln and families: Patti, Anthony, Zachary; Skip, Victoria, Ethan, Preston, Gavin; Kathi, Eliza, Benjamin Eastman; Robbie; Susanne; Bonnie and Lee Reardon of Millinocket and families: Heather, Hailey, Abby, Delaney; Carrie, Morgan; Shawn; stepbrother, Bill and Sunny Pitman; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Ruth Hill, Avis and Russell Noyes, Cretie Leen, Vernon Jr. and Deb Bowers, Glendon and Grace Bowers; cousins, many nieces, nephews and special friends. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband; her stepparents, Merle and Edna Pitman; sons, Linwood Jr. “Towser” and Leon; grandchildren, baby boy Spencer, Jonathon Van Nierop and Owen Spencer; brother and sister, Ralph Hill and Elsie Small; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Leeman Bowers and Lillian Priest and their parents, Vernon and Bernice Bowers, who were like parents to her; and son-in-law, Mike Gerry, who was like a son to her. The book of Ecclesiastes tells us, “To everything there is a season” and so, how fitting that Marilyn would leave us at the turning of autumn. She gives us a final gentle reminder of the cyclical ways of nature and of life: As one leaf falls in autumn, the promise of another green bud awaits in spring. Thanks to her legacy of love, our family tree will forever be deeply rooted and abundantly blossoming. Visiting hours will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at Clay Funeral Home, 7 Lee Road, Lincoln. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, at First Congregational Church, 19 School St., Lincoln, with the Rev. Darrell Joiner officiating. Interment will be at Mount Repose Cemetery, Burlington. Because of her pride in 54 years of membership at First Congregational Church, donations in Marilyn’s memory may be made to the Steeple Fund, P.O. Box 131, Lincoln, ME 04457. Those who wish may sign an online register and leave written condolences at www.clayfuneralhome.com.