Melissa A. "Missy" Bowler

Melissa Ann (Missy) Bowler, 70, of Pittsfield, died March 2, 2026 at Berkshire Medical Center after a short illness.

Born in Pittsfield on December 10, 1955, the daughter of the late Thomas E. Bowler and Annita Blondin Bowler, Missy attended local schools and was a 1973 graduate of Taconic High School. She attended Vermont College, graduating in 1975 with an associate's degree in Sport's Management. In 1989, Missy received a degree in Religious Studies from Abilene Christian University.

An outstanding high school and college athlete, Missy began her sports career in Pittsfield at the Skyline Country Club in Lanesboro and as a ski instructor at Bousquet's Ski Area. On Dec. 28, 1978, Missy suffered an arterial brain bleed that led to emergency brain surgery followed by a long road back to independence. Though she would spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair, Missy transitioned all her strength into a new career as a relentless advocate for those with disabilities.

A decade before the Americans with Disabilities Act was established in 1990, Missy was a familiar sight throughout Pittsfield in her wheelchair and motorized scooter, calling for ramps to be added to public buildings and curb cuts throughout city streets. She was one of the founding members of AdLib, a local agency that provided resources and support for individuals with disabilities, and worked there for many years. She also served on the City of Pittsfield's Commission on Disabilities, where she continued her advocacy for inclusion for all.

Following her retirement from AdLib, Missy began her second career as a dedicated volunteer, serving many agencies including RSVP, the Ralph Froio Senior Center and United Cerebral Palsy.

Missy was devoted to her church, the Pittsfield Church of Christ on Valentine Road, where she served as Treasurer for many years and was among the leaders of the church's efforts to help feed the poor through its Giving Garden. Missy cherished the Pittsfield Church of Christ and its wonderful, caring members who were central to her life.

She was an avid gardener at her own home, growing vegetables and flowers in raised beds that were accessible in her wheelchair. All throughout the summer months, Missy could be found on her hands and knees, crawling around her yard to tend to flowers that were not in her raised beds. Her backyard was lovely and was once among the stops on the annual Garden Tour to showcase what could be achieved by gardening from a wheelchair.

Despite devastating disabilities that included not being able to walk or see very well at all, Missy spent her life in service to her community. In turn, her community loved her. Among the many large and small miracles of her life, whenever Missy's wheelchair or scooter malfunctioned while she was out and about, or when she needed a hand, someone was always right around the corner to save the day.

She is survived by her six siblings; Linda Corridan of Holliston, Donna Mattoon of Canaan, NY, Thomas Bowler (Dayle) of Pittsfield, Mary Murphy (Stephen) of Pittsfield, Cindy Dombek (Jack) of The Villages, FL, and David Bowler (Laura) of Pittsfield; 21 nieces and nephews; 23 great nieces and nephews, and her cousins. Missy also leaves many dear friends who greatly enriched her life, including Jean Haywood and Anne Brennan, with whom she had weekly dinners for more than 30 years.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Visitation at the Dery Funeral Home will be Friday, March 13, 2026 from 4-6PM. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Missy's name to the Pittsfield Church of Christ, and mailed to the funeral home at 54 Bradford St. Pittsfield, MA 01201.