Thelma P. (Blanchard) Bowen, 94, of South Dartmouth, passed away peacefully at Brandon Woods Nursing Home in Dartmouth on February 26 after a brief illness.

She was the wife of the late Edgar J. Bowen with whom she had shared 53 years of marriage. Thelma was the daughter of Phoebe (Wilkinson) Blanchard and William E. Blanchard of Lancashire, England, and New Bedford, MA.

Thelma was born in New Bedford and graduated from New Bedford High School. After her husband returned home from World War II, they moved to Nantucket, Massachusetts where they resided for 39 years.

In 1988, Thelma and her husband moved to South Dartmouth where she resided for the past 20 years. She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in South Dartmouth.

Thelma loved living near the ocean and could often be found at Apponagansett boat ramp watching the shell fisherman and boaters loading and unloading their boats. She was also an avid sports fan and loved watching her grandchildren’s games. She loved the Boston Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, and most especially the New England Patriots.

Thelma is survived by her son James D. Bowen and his wife Cynthia of Savannah, GA; two daughters, Nancy B. Revene and her husband, Thomas, of South Dartmouth and Vernon, VT, and Cynthia B. Grant of South Dartmouth and Nantucket.

She was the beloved sister of the late Eileen M. Bancroft and her husband Thomas of North Dartmouth, and sister-in-law to John D. Bowen and his wife Maryann of Silver Spring, MD. Thelma also leaves behind six grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Burial was in Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. For online tributes visit www.dartmouthfuneralhome.com