Judith Garland

Judith Garland January 1, 1941 - February 26, 2023 Judith, otherwise known as Jude or Judie to her family and friends, was born at Down East Farm in Penobscot, Maine, during a snowstorm. Her maternal grandmother, Laura (Morey) Damon, of Eggemoggin Reach, Deer Isle, Maine, attended the birth while they waited for the doctor to arrive by horse. She was the youngest of the six daughters of Edward L. Bowden, of Brooksville, and Gladys M. Damon, of Deer Isle, Maine. She spent most of her childhood in West Brooksville, Maine being surrounded by nearby family in the area where her ancestors had lived since the late 1700s. She was allowed to start grammar school early since she would run away from her sitter to attend school with her sisters. After graduating from West Brooksville High School in 1958, with nine other classmates, she attended Gorham State Teacher's College (GSTC, now USM). During her high school and college life she participated in a wide range of clubs and enjoyed working at David's Folly in Brooksville for Minerva Cutler. Her 1962 GSTC graduating class included 143 new teachers. Judie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Kindergarten and Primary education. Ms. Bowden started her teaching career as a Kindergarten teacher at State Street School in Brewer. She met her future husband, Lt. James F. Garland, at the Bangor House. He was working in Brewer at the U.S. Army recruiting station. They were wed in Blue Hill, Maine on June 19, 1965, and were soon starting their army life together after getting orders for Ludwigsburg, Germany. Mrs. Garland taught Kindergarten for the Department of Defense while she lived there. The next tour of duty separated them for a little over a year and she returned to Deer Isle to teach in Stonington. The Army, over the next 13 years, sent the family to IN, VA, GA, Korea (Judie lived in NH), and MA. Gorham, Maine became the family's home in 1982. No matter where they were living, she enjoyed learning about and exploring the area they were in, meeting people, participating in new opportunities, and serving her community. Gardening had been a life-long hobby. There were always flowers in the house, yards to landscape, flower gardens to tend to, and crafts or decorations to make using flowers, pinecones, partridge berries, and other nature material. She was recognized by Brigadier General Donald E. Rosenblum while living in GA, for her time, effort, and support of the Taro Leaf Garden Club. The family earned the Yard of the Month award a few times while living on post in MA. Once in Gorham, she joined the Gorham Garden Club, established many friends, and served the club in various roles. Her love of nature and Maine's landscapes helped her to be more aware of how your surroundings make you feel, and that home is always with you wherever you go. When she was younger, she would use various art mediums to create pictures of the animals, flowers, and landscapes that meant something to her. As she became older, it was more important to her to be learning about nature and enjoying the different ecosystems. During her time as an officer's wife, she volunteered over 300 hours with Army Community Services helping with the Welcome Center, lending closet, Story Hour, and making sure families knew about the resources ACS offered. This service carried over into her life in Gorham. She was a member of the Friends of Baxter Memorial Library, volunteered for the Gorham Food Pantry where she started making children books available for families to take home and read, and was a member of the Gorham Arts Council. Jude was a member of the First Parish Congregational Church, U.C.C. and served the church on various committees, including being the church representative for the Gorham Ecumenical Council. She also helped and supported various events through the church locally and in the Greater Portland area. She was a lifetime member of the Brooksville Historical Society. The decision to move back to Maine, to be near family again, also gave her the opportunity to go back to teaching. She was hired as the Director/teacher of Gorham Cooperative Preschool, where she worked for a few years, before being hired by the Westbrook School Department in 1986. She earned her certificate in Special Education from the University of Southern Maine (USM) and was a Special Ed teacher at Cumberland-Oxford Canal School. Mrs. Garland eventually taught third grade, before she retired in 2003. She loved reading and attending various classes at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at USM. She and her husband would go out for dinner every week, enjoyed visiting museums, attending concerts and plays in Maine and New Hampshire, and spending time with family wherever they may be. The past four years Judie's mind and body slowly declined due to dementia. With help from Home Instead, Northern Light Palliative Care and Hospice, and the employees of Gorham House, she was finally able to pass away comfortably, knowing she was loved, with family by her side Sunday morning. She was predeceased by her father Edward L. Bowden (1973), her mother Gladys M. (Damon) Bowden (1998); sister Barbara (2016) and brother-in-law Paul S. LaFontaine (1988) of Greene, nephew Dale LaFontaine (2021), and great nephew Paul LaFontaine (2010); sister Virgie (2002) and brother-in-law Orville D. Sanborn (2004) of W. Brooksville; sister Lucy Fowler (2013) and nephew Tom Fowler (2003) of Brooksville; brother-in-law Dwight Blodgett (2022) of Brewer; and sister-in-law Muriel Atwater (2000) of MA. She is remembered by multiple titles and people. For Jim Garland, of Gorham, she was his beautiful and loving wife of almost fifty-eight years. Mom, to Julianne G. Sharp, of Dover, NH and Gorham, ME Nana, to Luca J. Sharp, of Gorham, ME and Caleb G, Sharp, of Silver Springs, MD. Sister to Gladys M. Blodgett, of Brewer, and Norma J. Barrett, of Turner. Sister-in-law to Ann Linke, of OH; Roy Fowler, of Brooksville, and Reb Barrett, of Turner. Aunt to: Debbie of Sedgewick, Jackie of Bucksport, and Marnie of Jay; Bonnie of FL; Mardel of NM, Jeff of Glenburn, and Chris of Waterville; Nancy of Turner, Charles Jr. of Lewiston, and Robin of Turner; Lisa of OH, Scott of CT, and Karen of OH; Sandy of MA, Donna of TN, Patricia of MA, Marcia of MA, and Bruce of CT, in addition to many great nieces and nephews throughout the U.S. Finally, she will also be remembered as a cousin to many in New England, and as a friend to those she met. It didn't matter where they were from, what their circumstances were, what abilities or differences they had, who they loved, which gender they identified with, or which faith they followed. Everyone was worthwhile, accepted, welcomed, and treated with respect. In honor of her, and in lieu of flowers, please donate your time and abilities, or make a donation, to an organization(s) that will provide opportunities and support for people of all ages and backgrounds to help them feel welcomed, safe, and secure. With your assistance you can also help people succeed in their educational pursuits, participate in the community, and enjoy and continue to learn about the place that they call home. A memorial service will be held at the First Parish Congregational Church, located at 1 Church Street in Gorham, when the Maine weather cooperates for safe traveling. Family, friends, and the community will be notified when the date and time has been determined. Thank you all for your love, help, and support over the years.