Beverly – Martha "Marchy" Bowden, 74 years, wife of John S. Bowden, transitioned into the afterlife peacefully and surrounded by loving family members. She will be deeply missed and held close in their hearts for all time to come.

Marchy, as she was known, loved her children, Matthew and Hannah and her husband John, of fifty-one years, and thought of them before all else. She cherished her children at every stage of their lives and at their every pursuit. She was always loving. She brought her generosity of spirit into all the relationships she had, including those with her neighbors and often said "I love my neighbors."

She was born and raised in Buffalo, NY and grew up with two loving older sisters, Julie and Dede. She went on to attend Buffalo Seminary and later attended Lake Forest College in Illinois where she met and married the love of her life, John. They lived in historic Deerfield where she worked as a docent and developed an exquisite sense of design and an appreciation of historical period pieces. Later she worked as a visiting nurse on Long Island and then was the head of her Red Cross unit after moving to Massachusetts. In her free time, Marchy loved painting with watercolors, listening to music, gardening, and always turned her thoughts outwards towards others and what she might do for them.

In later years, she spent many summers on Martha's Vineyard at her childhood home. She masterfully redecorated the spaces making each room warm and inviting. She was so happy to have had a swim with her husband John this past August while vacationing there.

Marchy's visiting hours will be held at the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St, Salem on Saturday, October 30, 2021 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Her Funeral Service will be held following the visiting hours at Murphy Funeral Home starting at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Waterside Cemetery, Marblehead.  Under Salem City guide lines, Masks are to be worn indoors at all times. Memorial contributions may be made to Kaplan Family Hospice House, c/o Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St, Danvers, MA  01923.  For additional information or online guest book please call 978-744-0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com .