Carol M. Bowen

Carol M. (Bartera) Bowen, 78, a longtime Upton resident, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, at her home surrounded by her loving family after a very long and brave battle with cancer.  She was the beloved wife of the late Robert F. Bowen who passed away in 2001.

Born and raised in Somerville, MA, she was a daughter of the late Primo and Margaret (McFarland) Bartera.   She was a graduate of Somerville High School and attended Salem Teachers College.  Throughout her life, Carol was a strong advocate for education.  

Carol made her home in Upton with her husband the late Robert F. Bowen.   Bobby was her “one and only”.   Together Bob and Carol were magic, their children were very lucky to grow up in a home with so much laughter, love and support.  Family was always a priority and Carol was her family’s biggest advocate and supporters.    

Carol was a multi-talented and intelligent woman.   She had an incredible career with Data General working during the birth of modern technology.   During her career, she traveled all over the world including the Far East, Europe, and Mexico.  She loved her job, but most importantly loved the people she worked with and the cultures she was able to experience firsthand. 

Carol’s amazing talents included painting, cooking, gardening, sewing and she enjoyed sharing and teaching others especially her family and friends. 

Retirement did not slow Carol; she became one of the Town of Upton’s biggest supporter volunteering with the Upton Woman’s Club participating in many of their activities while also acting as the clubs’ treasurer for many years.   She was a member of both the Blackstone Valley Garden Club, helping to beautify the town with her incredible talents and the Blackstone Valley Heritage quilt group making beautiful quilts that many lucky folks benefitted from. 

No matter how busy, Carol always took the time to help anyone in need or to enjoy a coffee, a homemade goodie, and visit with her family or friends.

She never stopped learning and passing on her knowledge to everyone around her as evidenced by the next generation of talented cooks, gardeners, bakers, artists and hardworking, career minded people in her family.     It was always by her actions that she taught us that we are all strong, there is always light at the end of the tunnel, and when things don’t go the way you wanted them to, you get up, dust yourself off, and move on.

Carol was the wonderful mother to, Beth Moeller, Sandy Barton, (Birdy) Roberta Mattox, and Michael Bowen and his wife, Tristan.  Grandmother to seven grandchildren, Shane, Heidi, Megan, Michael, Ethan, Kayley and Colleen and was the beloved Aunt to many, many nieces and nephews.  She also leaves behind her sister, Dorothy Chipman and her Sister in Law, Wesley Bartera. 

She is predeceased by her oldest brother, Bob Bartera, and during the past few months Carol lost two people close to her, her sister in law, Helen Pisarro and her brother, Ralph Bartera.    

Her funeral service will be celebrated on Saturday, June 16, at 10:00 A.M. in the Trinity Episcopal Church, 33 Linwood Ave., Whitinsville.  Burial will follow in Lakeview Cemetery in Upton.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, June 15, from 4 to 7 P.M. in the Williams-Pedersen Funeral Home, Inc., 45 Main Street, Upton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Carol M. Bowen, to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via www.dana-farber.org/gift.

Her family would like to thank all the caregivers who supported Carol during her last few months especially Leni and Martha - dear friends who always knew exactly what needed to be done and did it without being asked. 

www.uptonfunerals.com