FARMINGTON – Irma K. Bowles, 93, of Livermore, passed away at the Sandy River Living Center on Monday, March 16, having lived a very fulfilled life.

She was born on June 7, 1915, in Hartford, the daughter of J. Samuel and Bertha (Rowe) Keene. She attended Hartford schools and graduated from Buckfield High School, where she enjoyed playing basketball and participating on the debate team. Her love for learning has gathered her many college credits through her participation in organizations and the Gold Leaf Institute at UMF.

On Jan. 15, 1940, she married J. Lowell Bowles and resided on the Bowles Family Farm in Livermore, becoming a dedicated homemaker and mother of two daughters. Upon their retirement from farming in 1963, they moved to the Sanders house, where she has lived independently for 25 years, after Lowell’s death in 1984. Later she opened her home to roomers and has enjoyed the many friendships she has acquired through this venture.

During her life, she wore many different “hats” including her Red Hatters hat. Other “hats” worn with dedication were as a 4-H leader for 27 years, a Girl Scout leader, 50-year member of Twin County Extension, serving at the local, county and state levels, a Rebekah member and a 50-year member of New Norland Grange. She also was a member of the Woman’s Literary Union, Farmington Hospital Auxiliary, Wilton’s AARP Chapter and charter member of the Livermore-Livermore Falls Historical Society.

Organizations requiring her leadership abilities included past president of Livermore Falls Women’s Club and district president of the Maine Federation Women’s Council, past matron of Washburn Chapter of the Eastern Star, past president of Livermore Falls BPW and district president of the Maine Federation Women’s Council.

The desire to serve her community led her to become Livermore’s registrar of voters for 32 years, retiring at the age of 92. Other duties included a committee member on the Brettuns Pond Association, trustee of the Livermore Library and a long-time volunteer hostess for the Norlands Washburn Foundation.

Being a strong supporter of the Republican Party, she served on local and state committees through the Androscoggin Republican Women’s Club, once ran as a legislative candidate for her district and most recently became a member of the Women’s Legislative Council. She truly enjoyed being engaged in a good political debate.

Her interest in fashion and sewing soon turned into a professional seamstress business creating beautiful wedding gowns, attendants’ gowns and flower girl dresses. Her sewing skills produced some challenging projects and brought many people to her home. Her sewing knowledge was passed on to others through her position as a highly recognized adult education instructor for 17 years.

Her greatest passions included enjoying all the Boston Red Sox games and traveling in Maine, throughout the United States, Canada and to 13 foreign countries.

She is survived by her daughter, Carole Works and her husband, Joe, of Winslow; son-in-law, David St. Cyr of Manchester, N.H.; grandchildren, Jay Holt, Jana Holt Coon, Eleasha Works and Mark Works; great-grandchildren, Trevor and Ethan Coon and Jacob Works; special people/caregivers, Jackie and David Dion and family, nieces, nephews and many, many friends, too numerous to mention. She will never be forgotten for the sharing of her optimistic views and enthusiasm for life.

She was predeceased by her husband, Lowell; her daughter, Barbara Strout; four sisters, Eva, Elva, Mildred and Arlene; two brothers, Kenneth and Lloyd; and sons-in-law, Bob Holt and Bill Strout.