Shirley Louise Bowen

AUBURN – Shirley Louise Bowen, 81, passed peacefully surrounded by her loved ones and was reunited in heaven with her one and only love, Robert, on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston.

Shirley was born Jan. 2, 1942, in Auburn, to Charles Goding Sr. and Nellie Goding. She was educated in Auburn schools through the ninth grade. Shirley then married Robert Perkins Bowen Sr., the love of her life, on Sept. 28, 1957, at Marstons Corner Church. Together they bought and resided in their forever home on 255 Harmons Corner Road, Auburn. Shirley and Robert then started their family and raised four wonderful children together. Shirley stayed home with her children, while also taking care of several other children and hand lacing moccasins at home. Shirley went back to school to complete her education and received her GED on April 7, 1972.

Shirley then worked at the early learning center, where she discovered her passion for working with children with special needs and went on to ensure that the children received the education that they deserved. After that, Shirley went on to work for Stride Rite and Eastland shoe shops, among a few others, for 20-plus years. Shirley then found her niche working at John F. Murphy Homes at a residential adult group home for 10-plus years, where she retired at the age of 70, to care for and spend time with her husband and family. Shirley was always a very hard worker and poured her heart and soul into every person she worked with.

She always had pets, and most recently had her dog Penny who she adored and who kept her company after the passing of her husband. Shirley loved going to camp in Hartford. She had a green thumb and loved gardening and plants. She enjoyed shopping, feeding her birds, watching her soap operas, listening to country and western and gospel music, camping, canning, sewing, cooking and baking. Everyone enjoyed her food and she always had the best home cooking. Shirley enjoyed volunteering in both her daughters, Linda and Cindy’s, home daycares, where she was “Mammie” to many children. She embraced and loved ALL children and treated them as if they were her own.

Shirley was a very special woman, to know her was to love her. Shirley was devoted to her family. She was a devout wife to the love of her life, Robert. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren held a very special place in her heart and they proudly called her “Mammie.” She gave the best hugs, had the best listening ear and advice to share with all. She told it how it was while also being genuine, kind, loving, dedicated and honest. She was frugal and she always put others before herself. She had a heart of gold and lived a beautiful life. She will be greatly missed but remembered by all who knew her. Most of all, her legacy will live on through her family and her stories will be retold through the generations.

She is survived by her children, Robert Bowen Jr. and wife Debbie, Linda Haley, Cindy Corriveau and husband Daniel, David Bowen and wife Dianne; sister Bertie Pressey; 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her one and only love, Robert Bowen Sr.; parents Charles Goding Sr. and Nellie Goding; siblings, Kenneth Goding, Muriel Mason, Charles Goding Jr., Eldora Collins and son-in-law, Gary Haley.

Condolences and fond memories may be shared by visiting Shirley’s memorial page at http://www.albert-burpee.com .

Visitation will be held at East Auburn Baptist Church on Saturday, May 6, starting at 10 a.m., followed by a service at 11 a.m. Interment at a later date, Pine Street Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Albert & Burpee Funeral Home & Cremation Services 253 Pine St. Lewiston, 782-7201