Mary Theresa (Sullivan) Bowen, 88, of Walpole died July 31 at her home. She was the wife of the late Thomas J. Bowen who died in 1995.
Born in Somerville, February 2, 1930, the daughter of the late Cornelius and Nora (Hynes) Sullivan, of Kerry and Clare, Ireland, Mary was raised in Somerville and had lived in Walpole since 1970.
A proud graduate of St. Clement High School of Somerville, and Fisher College, Mary had been a library aide in the Walpole school system for over 20 years, a job well suited to her love of reading.
Her family was all that mattered to Mary. She was surrounded by family all her life, including the end. The love of her family reflects on how much she treasured them, and was a part of everyday life. Mary was the go-to person for any news, good or bad, and took seriously (and excelled at) the responsibility of sharing it.
She survived by her children, Helene Brady and her husband Bernie of East Walpole, Kevin Bowen and his wife Charlene of North Attleboro, Maureen Barry and her husband Paul of North Attleboro, Michael Bowen of Walpole, Christine Bowen of Walpole and Thomas Bowen, Jr. of Walpole.
She was the sister of Cornelius Sullivan and his wife Catherine, Joan Sullivan, John Sullivan and his wife Helen, Daniel Sullivan and his wife Pauline, Thomas Sullivan and his wife Judi, and Katherine Clooney and her husband Michael. She was very close with her sisters-in-law, Bridget and Frances Bowen.
Gram was the grandmother of Joseph Brady, Matthew Brady and his wife Emily, James Brady and Michaela Brady; Ryan Bowen, Brendan Bowen and Patricia Bowen; Meghan Barry and her husband James Norris, Michael Barry and his wife Meredith, Philip Barry and Julia Barry, and her great-grandson Liam Brady. Her grandchildren are great friends, though they will hotly contest who was Gram’s favorite.
Her Irish heritage was important to Mary, who loved that her children and grandchildren visited Ireland often, and have strong relationships with family, near and far. She was always excited to cross the pond, or have cousins visiting from Ireland.
Her funeral will be held on Saturday, August 4 from the Ginley Funeral Home (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) 892 Main Street, Walpole at 9:00 followed by a funeral mass in St. Jude’s Church, Norfolk at 10:00
Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery, South Walpole.
Visiting hours will be on Friday from 4-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to the Old Colony Hospice, 321 Manley St. W. Bridgewater, MA 02379.