Passages

Compiled by Rev. Susan Murphy

Vernon Nelson Bowden, 49, passed away on Aug. 26, 2024, in Sanford. He was born Feb. 20, 1975, in Portland, the son of Vernon Bowden and Ruth Winslow. Vernon enjoyed baseball and football, playing during his junior high and high school years. His favorite teams were the 49ers and Patriots for football and the Red Sox for baseball. He enjoyed fishing and being with friends and family. Vern is survived by his dad Vernon Bowden; two sisters, Shelly and Jennifer Bowden, brother Mike Hatch, his sons Cody and Connor, nieces Katie Wilcox, Nevaeh Hatch and Tori Rivard, and nephews Camron Wilcox, Jayden Rivard and Brady Hatch. He was predeceased by his mother, Ruth Hatch, and stepdad Steve Hatch. Vern will be forever missed by so many. No service is planned at this time.

https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/vernon-bowden.

Rita Cecile Normand, formerly of Sanford, passed away at The Lodges Care Center on September 14, 2024, at the age of 91. Rita was born on April 20, 1933, in Springvale to George and Cecile (Pilon) Tardiff. She grew up in Springvale and attended Springvale schools. She met the love of her life Robert Normand, and they married on Sept. 30, 1950. Rita worked as a CNA and did some work in local factories. Rita and her husband built a cottage on Mousam Lake, where they would enjoy summers with their daughters Claire and Patricia. Rita loved cooking and baking, gardening and making special recipes for the holiday seasons. Surviving are her two daughters Claire Bourassa and Patricia (Steven) Michaud, all of Sanford; four grandchildren, and six great grandchildren, her sister-in-law, Therese Tardiff, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Robert, her brother, Robert Tardiff, her sisters Lorraine Leveille and her husband Raoul, Doris Farwell and her husband Bruce and her son-in-law Richard Bourassa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Saturday, Sept. 21 at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish located on North Avenue in Sanford with a luncheon following at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home located at 580 Main Street in Springvale. Interment will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery located on Stanley Road in Springvale.

https://blackfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/rita-normand.