Arleen M. Bowles, age 95 of Lakeville, wife of the late Donald L. Bowles, passed away on Saturday May 22, 2021 at Nemasket Healthcare in Middleboro after a brief period of declining health. Born on Saturday October 31, 1925 she was the daughter of the late Margaret A. (Houlihan) and John J. Sullivan. Arleen was born and raised in Middleboro, but lived most of her life in Lakeville. She graduated from Middleboro Memorial High School, class of 1943, and continued her education at Fisher College in Boston. During the World War II era, Arleen worked for the Smaller War Plant Corp and later transferred to Camp Myles Standish in Taunton where she was the secretary to the CEO. In the 1950’s, she was Lakeville’s correspondent for the Standard Times and covered the local news including the Selectmen and School Committee meetings. Arleen worked locally as a secretary at Lakeville Hospital, Lakeville Pharmacy, Lakeville Town Hall in the Welfare Office, Lobl Mfg. Co., and sales clerk at Shirle’ Fashions. In the late 1980’s, she and her husband operated the Assawompset Scoop. Arleen was active in the community of Lakeville and Middleboro. She was the past president of the Plymouth County Extension, past member of the Junior and Senior Cabot Club of Middleboro, Friends of the Lakeville Library and Lakeville Historical Society. She was very active at the Lakeville Council on Aging, being a past Board Member and running the whist party on Monday afternoons. An avid football fan, Arleen followed the Patriots and attended many games. Peyton Manning was her all-time favorite. She also followed Notre Dame and Alabama Football. Arleen’s other hobbies included reading, bowling in the “housewives” league, playing cards, and golfing in a Sunday group at Little Harbor Golf Course. Arleen is survived by; a daughter, Kathleen A. Reed, a son, James K Bowles and his wife Mona (Couet), four grandchildren, Michelle Pacelli, Kevin Bowles, Kerry Bowles, and Brian Reed, Jr., five great grandchildren, Caroline, Maxwell, Margaret, MaryLee, and Lyla. Arleen was predeceased by her son John Sherwood Bowles. The family would like to thank Nemasket Healthcare for the care and love given to Arleen for the past three years and for Continuum Hospice for the devoted care during her final days. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday May 29, 2021 at 9:30AM at St. John Neumann Catholic Church 157 Middleboro Road, East Freetown MA 02717. Visitation will be held on Friday May 28, 2021 from 5:00 – 8:00PM at Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home 280 Bedford Street, Lakeville, MA 02347. Arleen will be laid to rest at Sampson Cemetery with her late husband Donald on Saturday May 29th following the mass. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lakeville Council on Aging, 1 Dear Crossing, Lakeville MA 02347.
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