Frances Gowen

Frances Gowen, 92 years old, of Springvale, ME, died Sunday January 4, 2004 at the H.D. Goodall Hospital in Sanford.Mrs. Gowen was born on February 26, 1911 in Sanford, ME. She was the daughter of Clifton and Edith Worcester Libbey. Mrs. Gowen was a graduate of Sanford High School, the 1932 class of Nursing at H.D. Goodall Hospital, and the Simmons College of Nursing in MA.Mrs. Gowen worked for several years at the Staten Island Hospital in N.Y. Before moving back to Sanford, ME. Upon her arrival she worked for the Community Health Service and as a private duty nurse. Soon after she joined the team at the H.D. Goodall Hospital. While there she became the very first Head Nurse of the new Marland Wing. After many years of faithful service to the Hospital and the Community Mrs. Gowen retired in 1976.Besides being a fantastic nurse, Mrs. Gowen was a loving wife, mother, and friend to many. She was a member of the Springvale First Baptist Church, where she belonged to the Blue Triangle Ladies Group. She was also a member of the Goodall Hospital Alumni Association. Mrs. Gowen was an avid crafter, and enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and watching the birds that she loved to feed.Predeceasing her are her parents, her husband Wilfred Gowen, a sister Carolyn Leavitt, and a brother Ernest Libbey.Surviving is her daughter Carol Cail and her husband Lester of Springvale, ME, a sister Grace Downing of Fairhaven, MA, a brother-in-law Thomas Leavitt of S. Portland, and several nieces and nephews.Visiting hours for Mrs. Gowen will be held Tuesday January 6, 2004 from 6 to 8 PM at the Heald Funeral Home, 580 Main St., Springvale, ME. Funeral services for Mrs. Gowen will be held on Wednesday the 7th at 11:00 AM preceded by an hour of visitation from 10 to 11 AM at the Springvale First Baptist Church. Committal services will be held in the spring of 2004.In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Springvale First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 277, 429 Main St., Springvale, ME 04083.