Claire G. Bowley, 73, of Waldoboro, formerly of Marblehead and Medford, Mass., died May 31 at her home. Born April 9, 1940 in Stoneham, Mass. to Arthur and Rita (Sullivan) Gorman, Claire grew up in Medford and graduated from Girls Catholic High School in Malden. She attended Catherine Labouré School of Nursing and Boston University, eventually taking a job with Northeast (and later, Delta) Airlines in 1967.
She married Robert R. Bowley Jr. in 1973. In 1995, after retiring from Delta, Claire enrolled in North Shore Community College and later Tufts, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. She worked for Service Employees International Union in many states, and held positions advocating for seniors, also.
She and her husband moved to Waldoboro in 2005. She worked at Taction, and was active in the town of Waldoboro, serving on the Library Board of Trustees, Women’s Club, Shellfish Committee, Conservation Committee, and the Waldoboro Day Planning Committee. She was the Religious Education director at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Newcastle. She was also a member of the “Young At Heart” Choral group.
She was predeceased by her husband, Robert R. Bowley Jr. and brother, John Gorman.
She is survived by her daughter, Stacia Bowley of Austin, Tex., brothers, Arthur Gorman of Rochester, N.Y., and Robert Gorman of Sitka, Alaska; sister, Pat Cooper and husband Peter of Needham, Mass.; nephew, Jonathan Cooper of New Haven, Conn.; and many aunts and cousins.
A funeral mass will be held 11 a.m., Thurs., June 6 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Newcastle. A burial will follow in St. Patrick’s Cemetery.
Contributions in Claire’s memory may be made to the Conservation Committee, Town of Waldoboro, P.O. Box J, Waldoboro, ME 04572.
You are invited to share your condolences with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
