Phylisse L. Harrison Bowen

Phylisse L. (Cote) Harrison Bowen, 83, of Glastonbury and previous longtime resident of Vernon, beloved wife to the late Edward F. Harrison and late Richard J. Bowen, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Despite facing Alzheimer's disease for many years, Phylisse remained a loving and witty presence to her family. She was born on January 7, 1942, in Woonsocket, RI, one of six children to the late Philippe Cote and Marianne (Auger) Cote.
After graduating from Woonsocket High School, Phylisse began her professional career at Blackstone Valley Electric as a switchboard operator. While at the job she met, and married her first husband, Eddie, in November of 1967. They had two children together and shared eight years of marriage until his death in December of 1975. In 1978, a new chapter began when she was introduced to her second husband Rick through mutual friends, welcoming one child together and blending families to raise four kids. While raising the family, Phylisse pursued her lifelong love for fashion and beauty by working as a consultant for Mary Kay Cosmetics. Later, Phylisse continued to engage her passion at a local bridal boutique, where she proudly focused on mother-of-the-bride customers.
Knowing Phylisse meant knowing the simple joys of life: a morning cup of coffee, a walk on the beach in Provincetown, basking in the sun, befriending any dog in sight, a stiff manhattan, or better yet her famous Christmas Whiskey Punch. Her simple pleasures were followed by her culinary and creative talents. Whether her spaghetti and meatballs, baked beans, meat pies for family dinners or jelly rolls, pecan pies, or Christmas cookies, she was a sought-after presence in the kitchen. Ever the Rhode Island girl, her Dynamites were a family staple. A spectacular oil painter, Phylisse created countless works of art that included her rendition of the "Madonna and Child". A gifted seamstress, she created precious family heirlooms, including her daughter's bridal gown and custom Christmas stockings for the whole family.
Above all else, family was Phylisse's greatest joy. She wholeheartedly loved being a Mémère, always endlessly proud to flaunt her grandkids' accomplishments. Her love meant endless support. Whether doing makeup for high school prom, attending school plays, sporting events, recitals, or celebrating family holidays, she was always present and eager to spend time with those she held dearest.
Phylisse is survived by her four children, Deanna Hutchinson and her husband Bill of Rochester, NH; Amy Richardson and her husband Jim of Southborough, MA; Scott Harrison and his wife Jane of Glastonbury, CT; and Mary-Anne Bowen of Raleigh, NC.
Phylisse was a loving Mémère to Emily, Hannah and husband Michael, and Megan; James, Matthew, and Audrey; Natalie, Sophie, and Eliana, and was further blessed to become a great grandmother to Callie. She also leaves behind her sister-in-law, Connie Cote of RI; extended family Elaine Jasmin of Woonsocket, RI, and her children, Christopher and Lauren Jasmin; God-children Louise O'Brien, Claude Laflamme and Neal Sabourin; and a host of nieces and nephews. She is also survived by some very dear friends.
In addition to her parents and husbands, she was predeceased by her five siblings, Louise Lussier, Suzanne Laflamme, Paul Cote, Vivianne Duquette, and Clarisse Sabourin.
Calling hours will be held on Monday, October 13, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. at the Ladd-Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home, 551 Talcottville Rd. (Rt 83) in Vernon, CT 06066. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 11:00 am at St. Bernard Church, 25, St. Bernard Terrace in Rockville. Inurnment will follow in St. Bernard Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Connecticut Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association; https://www.alz.org/ct. To leave an online message of condolence for her family, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.