Cleo Bowser

Cleo Bowser of Milton, Vermont, died May 12 at the age of 84. Cleo had been a longtime resident of Hopkinton, first at Apple Tree Hill Condominiums and then at Hopkinton Housing Authority’s senior housing. She cherished her life in Hopkinton, and for many years would host a Marathon party at her condominium. After her retirement in 2002 she worked until 2017 at the Joann fabric store in Southborough, at the cutting table. Cleo was an avid quilter and enjoyed the camaraderie of her quilting community. She made quilts for each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as several friends. Cleo loved and cherished her family, especially her 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a great-niece.

She moved to Vermont in 2017 and continued to work at Joann in South Burlington, Vermont, until the onset of the pandemic in February 2020. Up until the end, she hoped to return to work because she enjoyed supporting her customers and their sewing projects, no matter their sewing ability. She also enjoyed keeping busy. She was a great encourager and would offer a pep talk along with advice. She was a generous baker, sharing with her friends, neighbors and co-workers. During the pandemic lockdown, she would make early-morning deliveries of cookies or cosmos from her garden to connect with and support her community.

She will be missed dearly by her friends and family. She was a really great Mom, Grammy and Giggy.

Cleo did not want a funeral or any services. In lieu of flowers, do something nice for someone.

Obituaries are submissions, typically from funeral homes, that are not subject to the same level of editorial oversight as the rest of the Hopkinton Independent. Obituaries may be edited for grammatical and factual mistakes and clarifications and shortened for space considerations.