OAKLAND – Gwyneth “Gwyn” May Bown of Oakland passed away unexpectedly at MaineGeneral in Augusta on June 5, 2023 following a chronic illness.

She was born in Waterville on May 1, 1957, the youngest of three siblings. Her parents, William and Nancy (Sweet) Bown, both served in WWII in the U.S. and British Army. Gwyn graduated from Waterville High School in 1976 and earned her degree in Early Childhood

Education in 1980 from the University of Maine at Orono. She was an exceptional athlete in many sports including field hockey, track and field, and ice hockey. Her proudest accomplishment was placing seventh in the nation with her 169-yard javelin throw, missing the Olympic Trials by six inches. She also scored the first goal in history for the UMaine Women’s Ice Hockey Club against Colby College.

After college, Gwyn worked at the WTVL Boys/Girls Club for 10 years and coached field hockey and track at the high school. In 1989, she joined the Department of Defense as Coordinator of the Landstul School Age Program in Germany and later as Childcare Coordinator of the Baumholder School Age Program in Germany for over 13 years.

During her tenure, Gwyn touched several lives, entertaining many of the local German community with her witty humor, her culinary skills, and her wonderful gift of living life to the fullest.

Priority placement returned her to the States in February of 2003 as the 412th Force Support Squadron Youth Program Director at Edwards Air Force Base in California. She supervised multiple programs and facilities while at Edwards and served for a year as acting Flight Chief for the Squadron’s Child and Youth Flight.

Following her 30-year retirement and decorated service to the Department of Defense, she fulfilled her dream of returning to her roots in Maine to live on Messalonskee Lake by her beloved, life-long friends and family. Gwyn spent her brief retirement years traveling to her favorite Maine places, fishing on her boat, cooking for the neighborhood, snowmobiling on the lake, swimming at the Alfond Youth Center, and watching the loons migrate each season.

Gwyn was predeceased by her parents William and Nancy Bown of Waterville; her brother, Warren Bown of North Anson, and her brother-in-law, Paul Hopkins of Syracuse, N.Y.

She is survived by her sister, Chris Hopkins of Syracuse, N.Y.; nephews Eric Hopkins of Londonderry, N.H. (wife Meredith Hopkins, son Ericson); Ryan Hopkins of Syracuse N.Y.; sister-in-law, Beth Bown of Skowhegan; nephews Matthew Bown of North Anson, (wife Amy Bown, daughter Ashley Bown of Mssachusetts); Nathaniel Bown of Murfreesboro, Tenn. (wife Kate Bown, sons Silas, Adien, and Oakley); niece, Katy Perkins of Cornville (husband Don Perkins, daughter Annah Perkins); her extended Fowler family, best friend Michelle Fowler and partner Deb Strout of Oakland, Edgar Fowler and wife Sharon Fowler of Oakland, and Tonya Fowler of South Portland; her cherished military family and dearest friend, Andrea Castex of Boerne, Texas, husband Kenny Castex (daughter Allie Castex), son Grayson Steele of Roseville, Calif.; special childhood friend, Evelyn Carter of Vassalboro; along with many other friends, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

There will be no visiting hours or funeral services. The family will hold a private Celebration of Life in late July. Share thoughts, pictures, and memories at Dan & Scott’s Cremation and Funeral Service Dignity website.

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations can be made directly to:

South End Teen Center,

5 Libby Court,

Waterville, Maine

in memory of Gwyn

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