Doris W. Bowden

Doris W. Bowden

Surrounded by her adoring family and a disparate band of besotted surrogate children, Doris Bowden said goodbye with a wink and a smile on November 8, 2015. Born in Jersey City in 1928 as the only child to Kitty and William Wright, Doris grew up in a world characterized by a determined sense of community, sacrifice, loyalty, hard work and patriotism with family at the core. And what a family! All her kinfolk lived within a few blocks of their Woodlawn Ave home where raucous parties were the norm. When her grandfather got the first car in the neighborhood, trips to Barryville and the Jersey shore became key elements of her childhood. After graduation from Snyder High School, at a CYO party at 18 years old, Doris was asked to dance by a tall, quite thin and obviously hopeful Naval officer from just a few blocks away. Doris said yes and she and Howard danced together that night and for the next sixty four years. Howard's job took Doris and their first two children, Linda and Pat, to the anti-Jersey environs of Caldwell, Idaho, in 1954 and thereafter to the rural outpost of New City, NY, where Diane and Howard were born and many long-lasting friendships were developed. In 1967 more dear friends were cultivated after moving to Washington Twp, NJ.

Of Doris' many legacies, she was proudest of her family: her loving husband, Howard, who predeceased her in 2010 , daughters Linda Bowden, Patricia Flaherty and her husband Marc, Diane and her husband Jim Pricola, and Howard and Shannon Bowden. Also missing her terribly are her grandchildren Kate Gwin, and her husband Witt (with Doris' first great grandchild expected in January), John Flaherty and his wife Mallory, Mike Flaherty, Julie Herchenroder, Tim Jenssen and his father Buddy, Kyle Herchenroder, Gracie Bowden, Nora Bowden, Alex Pricola, and Addie Bowden.

Doris worked a good portion of her adult years at NJ Bell, where she won many sales contests with her usual competitive approach. She was a bowler with a perfect hook from the right arrow, and earned trips to tournaments in the Northeast. Perhaps though, she was most comfortable at a card table - enjoying bridge with her friends and playing hearts with her family. Doris taught everyone to play and more importantly, showed the value of a kitchen table as the best venue for sparkling and insightful conversation. And, of course, she also adored a perfect dry martini.

In their later years, Howard and Doris moved to Greenbriar, Toms River, where more new friendships and fun ensued. For the last three years she lived in Harrogate, Lakewood, where she enjoyed the company of so many wonderful folks.

Mom, we will forever miss your relentless positivity, sense of fun, wisdom, humor, boundless energy and love. You lived life to the very last drop!

The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday 2-4 & 7-9 pm at the Silverton Memorial Funeral Home, 2482 Church Rd, Toms River, Funeral Mass Friday 9:15 am at St Luke RC Church, Toms River, interment St Catharine Cemetery, Sea Girt. www.silvertonmemorial.com