Marie Lord

MARIE BOWDEN LORD

HAMPDEN - Marie B. Lord, 94, passed away peacefully at Bangor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center on March 19, 2025, with family at her side. She was born in Camden, November 21, 1930, the daughter of Gerald L. and Vernice M. (Leavitt) Bowden.

Raised in Rockport, Maine, Marie was the second of four children, all close in age. Her father passed away when she was four years old, leaving her mother to raise the children on her own. Marie's strength and unwavering faith were a true testament to the values her beloved mother instilled in her from a young age.

Marie loved growing up in Rockport, spending summers by the ocean, swimming with her siblings, cousins and friends. Living in the Camden-Rockport area presented many opportunities for Marie including being a hostess in the very first Lobster Festival, acting as an extra in Peyton Place and babysitting the children of writers, artists and political families who summered there.

Marie met her husband, Will, at a dance at the Blue Goose in Northport and went on to spend many happy times dancing to live bands throughout their 66 years of marriage. Even in her later years, when she was no longer able to dance, her husband would carefully select meaningful songs for them to listen to together- melodies that brought back cherished memories of the many years they had spent dancing side by side.

Marie and Will married in 1958 and took up residence in Bangor. She soon left her career in banking, and the couple moved to Hampden where Marie focused all her love and energy on raising their three daughters. She cherished family time together. Summers spent hiking, camping and traveling to Pittsburgh Pirates games were especially fond memories.

Marie volunteered as a girl scout leader for her daughters' troop, sewed many of their outfits, and was always ready with an afternoon snack, made from scratch, when they got home from school. Some of the sweetest moments, in later years, were their special girl time- setting out on birthday shopping trips, going out to eat at their favorite spots, singing along to songs they loved, and sharing lots and lots of laughter. Those loving memories will be deeply missed by her daughters, who will carry them in their hearts always.

She treasured her grandchildren and found such joy in spending time with them- whether visiting together, cheering them on from the sidelines at their sporting events, or proudly attending their concerts and performances. Her love and support were constant, and those moments will always mean so much to them.

Despite her loss of vision in later years, she never complained. She accepted any challenge she faced in her life. Her patience, sweet nature, sense of humor and strong faith shone through to everyone who was blessed to have known her.

Surviving in addition to her husband, Wilfred H. Lord, are her daughters, Karen Monaghan and husband, Paul, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Julie Dunning and husband, David, of Orrington and Diane Vafiades, of Scarborough; grandchildren, Whitney Mills and partner, Gerald Rocha, of Auburn, New Hampshire, Connor Monaghan, of Salt Lake City, Utah, Matthew Dunning and wife, Mikaila, of Holden, Michael Dunning and wife, Renée, of Orrington, Elizabeth Hofe and husband, Killian, of Flower Mound, Texas, Will Vafiades, of Scarborough, Abigail Vafiades and partner, Dylan Doyon, of Saco; great-grandsons, Sawyer Mills, Jayden Mills and Theo Dunning; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents, Marie was predeceased by brothers, Lewis and Richard Bowden; sister, Anne Alley; in-laws George and Mabel Lord; sister-in-law, Dorothy Robinson and several aunts, uncles, nieces, cousins and close friends.

The family extends a special thanks to all those who cared for Marie over the years; Cindy Roper, Visiting Angels, Loving Touch, and Bangor Nursing and Rehab. Also thank you to Beacon Hospice who provided comfort in her final days. Her family is truly grateful.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00p.m., Thursday, April 10, 2025, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. John's Catholic Church, 217 York Street, Bangor, Maine. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in the Parish Hall downstairs immediately following the service. Those who wish to remember Marie in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023 Merrifield, VA 22116-7023, The Iris Network, The Iris Network, c/o Development, 189 Park Avenue, Portland, ME 04102 or Catholic Charities, Catholic Charities Development Office PO Box 10660 Portland, ME 04104-6060. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.