Margaret Bowden

Margaret Bowden, 88, passed away November 11, 2021.  She was married to Thomas Bowden for 63 years.  She was the cherished mother of Sandra Sherman, Susan Abbatomarco, and Sharon Bowden.  She was beloved by her grandchildren Andrew Sherman and his wife Amanda, Corinne Carnevale and her husband Danylo, Matthew Abbatomarco, and Jeremy Abbatomarco, by her great-grandchildren, Tyler, Collin, Karagan, and Michael, and by her son-in-law, Michael Sherman.

Margaret grew up in Esmond, RI and lived most of her life in North Providence.  Stories from her youth were filled with joy and a sense of community that carried throughout her entire life.  She had an uncanny ability to recall names, dates, places, and events about life in the tiny village of Esmond and beyond.

Her parents were told they could not have any more children after her older brother, William, was born but she arrived three years later and jokingly referred to herself as the “miracle baby.”  Despite Margaret’s childhood spanning those difficult years of the Great Depression and World War II, her recollections about her life always focused more on her community, her church activities, and her family.  Holidays were always shared with family and friends, like when her parents hosted New Year’s Eve, the rug in the parlor would get rolled up, her father would take out his fiddle, and her Aunt Agnes and Uncle Dave would “tear up the floor” doing the Irish jig.

Margaret began taking piano lessons at age 6 and became the organist at her church for a combined 37 years.  She sang in the church choir also.  Her high school graduating class had only nine students; the school’s curriculum was business oriented.  Margaret started as a stenographer at Amica Insurance before getting married and then worked at Induplate/Greystone, Inc. for 37 years until her retirement.

Thoughtful, kind, and quick witted, Margaret had a wonderful sense of humor.  She was an avid reader, beautiful seamstress and knitter.  Many friends and family have enjoyed her scarves and countless baby blankets.  She put her knitting skills to work making hats for babies at Women & Infants, where she also volunteered for many years.

She quietly did good deeds throughout her life, not to be recognized or praised, but simply because she wanted to be a good person.  Margaret always put others before herself, being the caretaker of so many throughout her life, right up until the end when she cared for her ailing husband.

After her husband passed just nine weeks before her death, Margaret spoke of wanting to rent a beach house next summer to spend time with her family.  Sadly, her wish could not be realized.  In her final days, she spoke about seeing herself sailing out of Galilee as her final departure from this world.  Her family hopes that at least that dream came true.

Her graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 11:00am In Highland Memorial Park Cemetery, Johnston.  Family and friends may gather at Elliott M. Robbins Funeral Home 2251 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence, RI from 10:15-10:45 to join the procession to the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to HopeHealth Hospice Center, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904.