A Community Grieves in Lincoln as Final Farewells Approach
The town of Lincoln, Maine, is preparing to say goodbye to Linda (Bowers) Gerry, whose decades of civic involvement, church service, and family leadership touched generations of local residents. She passed away on October 29, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Portland following a brief illness. She was 79 years old.
Visitation services are scheduled for Thursday, November 5, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Bowers Funeral Home in Lincoln. A funeral service will follow on Friday, November 6, at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in Lincoln, with a luncheon in the church dining room and a 2 p.m. burial at Mount Repose Cemetery in Burlington.
Rooted in Lincoln: Early Life and a Lifelong Love Story
Born on February 7, 1947, in Lincoln to Linwood Bowers and Marilyn (Hill) Bowers, Linda attended local schools and graduated proudly with the Mattanawcook Academy Class of 1965. Shortly after finishing high school, she married her high school sweetheart, Stanley “Mike” Gerry. Together, they forged a partnership defined by loyalty, perseverance, and a deep devotion to their hometown.
While she was a cheerleader in her youth, Linda remained a cheerleader throughout her life. Her voice was quiet, but her presence resonated loudly through her unwavering support for her children and grandchildren at every game, performance, and milestone.
Decades of Service to Church and Town
Faith served as the bedrock of Linda’s daily life. As a lifelong member of the First Congregational Church in Lincoln, she worked as the church secretary for more than 30 years while also serving as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. Her hands-on dedication extended to the May Basket Committee, the Sisters Group, and the River Drivers Supper.
Beyond the church walls, Linda’s calendar was perpetually full of civic commitments. She served as a substitute teacher in local classrooms, presided over the Mattanawcook Academy Alumni Association, and lent her energy to both the sports and music boosters clubs. Generations of Lincoln voters also came to recognize her welcoming face at the local polling place, where she volunteered during every election.
Her dedication to keeping people connected stretched across decades. She organized monthly lunches for the Class of 1965 to keep those friendships alive, and she served as president of the Bowers Family Reunion, helping bring generations together each summer at the family camps on Nicatous Lake.
Linda Leaves Behind Children, Grandchildren, and Siblings
Linda was predeceased by her parents, her brother Linwood “Towser” Bowers, and her husband, Mike. She is survived by her children: Patti Thurlow and her husband, Glenn; Stanley Michael “Skip” Gerry Jr. and his wife, Melissa, of Gray; Kathi of Old Town; Rob of Dover, New Hampshire; and Susanne of Portland. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Anthony, Victoria, Ethan, Zachary, Eliza, Ben, Preston, and Gavin; her great-grandchildren, Sally and William; along with her siblings Barbara, Beverly, Mary, Joan, Ralph, and Bonnie.
Leaving behind a final note attached to her computer monitor, she fittingly quoted scripture that mirrored her life’s work: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
