1939 – 2015

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Kathleen Doris (Austin) Bowden, 76, passed away Saturday, Sept. 12, with family at her side.

She was born Mar. 26, 1939, in Lawrence, Mass., the daughter of Carlton E. Austin and Doris (Bartlett) Austin.

Kathleen grew up and lived in Maine and was a graduate of Mexico High School in 1959. Her working years included factory and secretarial work and waitressing. She moved to Florida, where she had lived since her retirement in 2005. As a single mother, Kathleen raised four children while working numerous jobs and instilled a strong work ethic and religious beliefs in them.

She enjoyed golfing, bowling, reading, knitting, dancing and playing cards, and later in life, Facebook and Skyping. She also enjoyed her children’s activities, including ball games, drum corps, church outings and celebrations. Later in life, she was able to enjoy her grandchildren’s events as well.

Surviving are her four children, Patricia Ann Beauchesne, Doris and her husband, Christopher LaBrecque, Roger Bowden II and Dean Bowden and his wife, Kellie; five grandchildren, Jenna LaBrecque, Spc. Ryan Beauchesne, Kristen LaBrecque, Austin Bowden and Meghan Bowden; a brother, Robert Austin and his wife, Cheryl; stepmother, Louise Austin; special friends, Ron and Janet Brousseau, Terry and Dick Oullette, Jim and Judy McFadden and Thomas Beauchesne; and she will be missed by her cat, Precious.

She was predeceased by her parents; her two brothers, Carlton Austin, Jr. and Richard Austin.

Kathleen’s family gratefully thanks the oncology staff and nurses at the Cassidy Cancer Center at Winter Haven Hospital and the staff of Cornerstone Hospice, especially Michelle and Sylvia.