Belle Bowers ... mother of U.S. Sen Jeanne Shaheen

SOMERSWORTH - Belle Ernestine Bowers died peacefully at her home in Somersworth on Thursday, October 20, 2016.
Belle, 94, was born on an apple ranch in Naches Heights, Wash., the daughter of Ida Scott Stillings and Ernest Estes Stillings.
During World War II, she met and married Missouri native Ivan Bowers who was stationed in the Army at Fort Lewis, Wash. Throughout their 39 years of marriage, they lived in five states and while Ivan worked in shoe manufacturing, Belle raised their three girls and volunteered. She worked for the PTA for 22 years, receiving the Lifetime Membership Award, and served almost 30 years in the Girl Scout program.

A devout Christian, Belle believed in the positive power of prayer and tried to follow the commandment to "love one another." Working as church secretary at the Methodist Church in Sikeston, Mo., and Providence Reformed Presbyterian Church in Barboursville, W. Va., allowed Belle to serve others which she enjoyed all her life. After Ivan died, she became a leader in HOPE, an organization that helped widows, and remained active until she moved to Somersworth in 2001.
In New Hampshire, she belonged to Maranatha at Dover Baptist Church and became State Secretary for Moms in Prayer which encourages mothers to pray for children in school.
Belle is survived by three daughters, Diane and Mike Sabom of Atlanta, Ga., Jeanne and Bill Shaheen of Madbury, N.H., Denise and Jim Nelson of Somersworth, N.H.; six grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

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