Suzanne Morgan "Sue" Bowman

EXETER - Suzanne "Sue" Morgan Bowman, 85, of Exeter, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 1, 2018, at Durgin Pines Skilled Nursing Facility in Kittery, Maine, surrounded by loved ones. Born on May 2, 1933, in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of William Hubert and Emma Ross Morgan.

Sue graduated salutatorian from Whitefish Bay High School in 1951. She attended Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin for two years before transferring to the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UWM), where she was a proud member of the first graduating class in elementary education, in 1955. Sue met her husband, Jim, at a UWM square dance, where he swept her off her feet; they married in 1956.

Sue was a loving, dedicated, vivacious woman who embraced the joys of life. She laughed easily and often, and she generously shared her warmth and wisdom with her family, friends and community. For 23 years, Sue was an elementary school educator, first as a classroom teacher in Wisconsin and California, and then as a Title 1 specialist in the Exeter public schools.

Since 1971, Sue and Jim were active members of the Exeter Congregational Church, where they served on many committees, taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and volunteered in the food pantry. Sue also coordinated the Women's Bible Study Group for over 23 years. Before moving to New Hampshire, Sue and Jim were active members of the Abiding Presence Lutheran Church in Ewing Township, New Jersey.

During the summer, Sue enjoyed swimming, sailing and kayaking with family and friends at her Merrymeeting Lake cottage, in New Durham, New Hampshire. She was an ardent Boston Celtics and New England Patriots sports fan, and since 1971, she faithfully attended University of New Hampshire (UNH) football and hockey games. Sue also enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and abroad.

In retirement, Sue became a UNH marine docent. She volunteered at the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Greenland, New Hampshire, and the Seacoast Science Center at Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, New Hampshire. She specialized in teaching visitors and students about the horseshoe crab. Sue sang with the UNH Sea Chantey Singers, Sounds of the Seacoast Women's Barbershop Chorus and Journey Song, which brought her many years of pleasure. Sue was also an active member of the Exeter Area Garden Club, Portsmouth Yacht Club and Merrymeeting Lake Association. She cultivated long-lasting friendships from all aspects of her life.

Sue's family brought her the most pleasure. All were very dear to her heart, as she was to theirs. She is survived by her daughter Kristin of Oakland, California; daughter Kathy Perry and husband Herb of Wells, Maine; son Ted, his partner Melanie Fifield, and Melanie's children Calvin, Alana and Gwen of Moultonborough, New Hampshire; granddaughters Jennifer and Hannah Perry of Boston, Massachusetts, and Jamie Shedd and fiancé Gary Sturgeon of Meredith, New Hampshire; great-granddaughter Lily Sturgeon of Meredith; nephew Tom Hyslop and wife Kathy of Pewaukee, Wisconsin; nieces Anne Richards of Plymouth, Minnesota, and Meredy Hase and husband Mike of Wales, Wisconsin; cousins Ann Strong of Bloomington, Indiana, and Dick Bruss of Folsom, California; sisters-in-law Carolyn Linsalata of Orrville, Ohio, and June Bowman of Hillsboro, Ohio; brother-in-law Bill Bowman and wife Karen of Olympia, Washington; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, Jim, of 48 years; their son Scott; her sister, Joanne Hyslop; and her parents.

A special thank you must be expressed to the staffs of Durgin Pines and the Rockingham Visiting Nurse Association for their exceptional care.

SERVICES: A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Exeter Congregational Church at 4 p.m., on Sunday, June 10, 2018. A reception will follow in the vestry.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sue's memory may be sent to the Exeter Congregational Church Food Pantry, 21 Front St., Exeter, N.H.; Great Bay Discovery Center, 89 Depot Rd., Greenland, N.H.; Exeter Area Garden Club, eagcnh@gmail.com.

Arrangements are being handled by J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home, 125 Old Post Rd., Kittery, Maine.