Deloris M. Bowen

Deloris Marie Bowen, 86, of Columbia, died February 15, 2014 at Fox Hill Nursing Center in Vernon. She was born December 13, 1927 in Kansas, the youngest daughter of German immigrant farmers Jacob and Mary Rupp, who raised five children during the years of the Great Depression. As a young woman during World War II she was working in a drug store in Great Bend, KS when she met and fell in love with Newman Bowen, a young Army Air Corps soldier from Connecticut. When he returned from service in Europe at the end of the war, they married and he brought her home to his family in Willimantic, CT. They began a family of their own over the following years, producing three sons. To support their family, they both worked at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, Newman for 41 years and Deloris for more than 35. In the late 1950's and early 60's, they operated the Windham Marine Co. at the intersection of Bridge and Mountain St. in Willimantic, CT. Following the death of her husband's parents Deloris and Newman moved to the town of Columbia. They dedicated themselves to work and family, becoming especially involved in the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department. For several years they were instrumental in putting on an annual fair for the Fire Department, the major fundraising event of the year, and in several fundraising dinners throughout the years. Deloris was a Kansas farm girl who adapted well to New England because her values were the same as those of New England in her time. She leaves her sons, Robert, James and Kenneth; her grandsons Joshua and Tristan Bowen, her granddaughter Christine Chalifoux and a great grandson Nicholas Chalifoux. There are no calling hours and burial will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be sent to Covenant Soup Kitchen 220 Valley St. Willimantic, CT 06226. For online memorial guestbook please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .