BANGOR – Clara “Esther” (Bowden) Bridges, 92, died July 5, 2009, at a Bangor health care facility. She was born May 10, 1917, in Orrington, the daughter of Harrison and Inez (Parker) Bowden. Clara was a member of Queen City Grange and a long-time nursery attendant at Bangor Baptist Church. She enjoyed quilting and loved her family gatherings. She will always be remembered as a wonderful homemaker, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Clara is survived by her children, Harrison “Gene” Bridges and his wife, Rita, of Glenburn, Frederick Bridges Jr. of California, Edith Webb and her husband, Darrell, of Newport and Hilda Robichaud and her husband, Jerry, of Bangor; sisters, Mildred Pelton of Florida and Sadie Sears of Bangor; grandchildren, Emily, Amy, Scott, Melissa, Jennifer, Kelly, Molly, Colleen and Jim; five great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 25 years, Frederick R. Bridges Sr.; brothers, Vinal, Kenneth, Bernard, Harry and Albert Bowden; and sisters, Dorothy Rich and Phyllis Howard. Clara’s family thanks the staff at Westgate Manor for all their love and support. A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, with the Rev. Garnett Chute, pastor of Hermon Baptist Church, officiating. Interment will be afterward at Oak Hill Cemetery, Orrington. Those wishing to remember Clara in a special way may make gifts in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association, 170 U.S. Route One, Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 04105. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
CLARA ‘ESTHER’ (BOWDEN) BRIDGES
