Avis Irene (Reed) Bowler

CHICOPEE

Avis Irene (Reed) Bowler, 84, passed away peacefully at home on June 16^th. Avis received Hospice care and was surrounded by her loving children at the time of her passing. Avis was born in Melrose, Massachusetts on July 1, 1936. Her mother was the late Arnetta Reed. Avis was raised in South Hadley and attended public schools. She was a 1955 graduate of South Hadley High School. Following graduation, her first job was as a soda fountain worker at Liggett’s Drug Store in Holyoke. She then accepted her first professional job as a bookkeeper at the Hadley Falls Trust Co. in Holyoke. In 1958, she went on a blind date with Daniel Bowler of Holyoke. It proved to be a match made in Heaven as Danny and Avis would wed in 1959 and remain married until Daniel’s passing in 2002. The couple settled in Holyoke and raised four children; Daniel of Chicopee, James and his wife Karin of Huntington, Kelly Ringenbach and her partner James Sabatino of Southwick, Tracy Hunter and her husband James of Belchertown. Avis remained a homemaker until of her children were well into school. In 1983, Avis took a new job at K&M Electronics in Holyoke. She played a critical role in the production of night vision goggles for the Dept. of Defense. She remained in this position until her retirement in 2008. In her retirement, Avis thoroughly enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren Matthew, Ian, Jay and his wife Emiley of Pennsylvania, Shannon, Fiona and Liam as well as her greatgrandchildren, Ari, Rylie, Makayla, Mattison and newborn Silas whom she recently just met for the first time. Avis was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Avis’ other passions included genealogy, traveling, sewing, reading, knitting, crocheting, gardening and especially walking. She loved using the Chicopee Senior Center participating regularly in fitness classes. A cancer survivor, Avis also enjoyed making and donating chemotherapy hats for the cancer patients at the Sister Caritas Cancer Center at Mercy Hospital where she had also received her treatment. Avis leaves behind her brother Eldridge Hirtle, her in-laws George and Kathy Bowler, Elizabeth Frisino and Peggy Bowler. She also leaves behind her cousins Barry and Jane Reed, Dennis and Brenda Reed, Kim Reed and Karen Reed Curfman as well as her close friend Alice Tougas.  Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 22^nd at 11:30 am in the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home, 2049 Northampton Street, Holyoke.  Burial will follow at St. Jerome’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sister Caritas Cancer Center, 271 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. 

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