Patricia Bowen Beals

January 23, 1944 - September 18, 2023 SPRINGVALE--Patricia Bowen Beals, 79, died suddenly at home in Springvale on Monday September 18 with her devoted husband and longtime primary caregiver by her side. She had been fighting a courageous battle with numerous debilitating health issues for the past several years. She was born in Sanford in January of 1944, the daughter of Catherine (Crowley) and Ermont C. Bowen. Patty attended local schools and graduated from Sanford High School in 1962. She also studied and later in life, after helping raise three children, she earned both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master of Education degree from the University of Southern Maine. After starting her working career at the quaint Corner Shop in Springvale she had many roles in the clerical, administrative assistant, and office manager fields at such places as Adams Trucking, a short stint in Washington D.C., Bicknell Photo in Portland and Cadents Dental Lab in Sanford. She concluded her working career and retired as an elementary teacher in the Sanford school system. In November of 1971 she married Ellis Wayne Beals who already had two young children. They had known each other as youngsters at the Springvale Free Baptist Church and they recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Patricia was predeceased by her parents, her stepfather J. Everett Ridley Jr., as well as her younger brother Richard E. Bowen in 2018. She is survived by her husband and children Edward (Tim) Beals and his wife Jill of Kennebunk; daughter Laurie K. Beals of Springvale and Eric T. Beals and his wife Jennifer of Lyman. Their five grandchildren have been their true pride and joy and she spent many proud moments watching the exploits, adventures and major accomplishments of Evan Beals (Wells), Libby and Trevor Beals (Lyman) and Everett and Ella Beals (Kennebunk). She will also be dearly missed by several cousins, in-laws, close friends, church family members and former co-workers. Patricia also has a multitude of “sisters and brothers” from her decades of participation in the Order of the Eastern Star, Ruth Chapter #14. Her skills as a musician were always enjoyed when she performed as an organist at the local level and across Maine as a Grand Officer. She played piano and organ for many years at local churches – most recently at the Crossroads United Methodist Church where she was a dedicated performer in sickness and in health. Patty was well known for her home-cooking, knitting, crocheting and she was an ultra-talented seamstress. She was a strong supporter of local and national politics and spent many late election nights working at the polls and helping safeguard the results. For years she helped her husband raise a multitude of animals and worked tirelessly canning, freezing and preserving the many fruits, flowers and vegetables from their own gardens. Basket-weaving and quilting became passions in her later years and traveling was another source of great enjoyment. She was delighted to accompany her husband on numerous trips around the country as he was often honored for his success in the dental field. They had many itineraries around the country, in Europe, around the islands and across Maine and Canada with the most special and memorable trips being Disney themed and involving the entire family. She and Ellis (often called Wayne) delighted in everything from bean suppers and tractor shows to fancy steakhouses and the tuxedo and long gown affairs. They drove around in everything from Model T’s and minivans to her beloved 1965 Mustang. Some of her fondest memories revolved around her children and especially their activities and events. She did her very best to attend or show an interest in them all up until her last breath. As the years went on everything became more difficult as health issues prevented her from doing the things she enjoyed, including floating in the pool or soaking in her hot tub in the greenhouse. Her love of animals and flowers never wavered and she was often called the “Cat Lady.” Even on her darkest days and with declining mobility she could read and enjoy the visiting songbirds and deer right from her windows at home. Patty’s husband and the entire family would like to thank all the people who helped with the exceptional care and comfort provided to her during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest a donation to a scholarship or charity of your choice in the name of Patricia Beals, or consider helping some of her favorite causes such as Shriners Children’s Hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts or the local Crossroads United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. at Carll, Heald and Black Funeral Home on Saturday, September 30. The funeral service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, October 1 at Crossroads United Methodist Church. The burial will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday October 3 at the Southern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery.