Margaret K. Bowles

Margaret Mary Kervin Bowles, 84, of Salamanca, NY, died Sunday, January 19, 2025 at the Salamanca Rehabilitation & Nursing Center following a long illness.

Born September 20, 1940 in Buffalo, NY, she was the adopted daughter of the late Leo and Margaret Mary Vaughn Kervin. She was married in 1958 to Claude Bowles, who predeceased her in 1974.

She was a graduate of Salamanca High School, Class of 1958 and earned her Associate’s Degree from Jamestown Community College.

Margaret had been employed as a security guard with SUNY Delhi. She worked many jobs, helping people and communities including being a waitress at the Dudley Hotel, Dispatch with the Allegany State Park Police, both in Salamanca, NY, crime victim advocate at NYS Crime Victim’s Board, Buffalo, NY, and various sales positions throughout the area. She had also owned and operated a thrift store.

She enjoyed photography, reading, nature, and gardening.

Surviving are: a daughter, Sara (Keith) Waehner, Allegany, NY; three sons, Gregg Bowles, Great Valley, NY, Darryl (Joanie) Bowles, ME, Ed Bowles, GA; ten grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a brother, Tom Kervin; several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a daughter, Lisa Rockwell, a son, Dwayne Bowles, a brother, Leo Kervin, and her longtime companion, Fred Potgeiter.

There will be no visitation.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Free Methodist Church, 387 Center Street, Salamanca, NY on Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 12pm.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.