Windsor, Maine-Bessie R. Dow, 88, of Windsor, Maine went home to the Lord on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine, following a brief illness. Born February 19, 1928 in Middletown, Connecticut, Bessie Mae Rogers moved to Windsor, Maine with her parents, Alonzo B. Rogers and Bertha Mae (Cargill) Rogers when she was just an infant, and remained a resident there for the rest of her life. She attended grammar school in the one room Windsor-Corner schoolhouse, and high school at Erskine Academy, where all her children and all of her grandchildren also attended high school. On December 25th, 1944, she became the wife of Bernard E. Dow and started a marriage that would last 64 years, until Bernard’s death in 2009. They enjoyed living in Windsor and raising their six children. Bessie was a resourceful mother who raised and canned her own vegetables, made her children’s clothes and helped on the family’s cattle farm. Outside the home, Bessie also held positions in food service at local nursing homes, as well as at Erskine Academy, and the VA Medical Center-Togus. She also worked at the iconic local Hussey’s General Store. After retirement, Bessie enjoyed flower gardening, playing cards, wintering in Florida with her husband, and she could never pass by a lawn sale or a Good Will. What her gentle soul loved most was to be surrounded by her large family. Bessie loved all of her children, her 13 grandchildren, ranging in age from 24 to 45, and each of her 22 great grandchildren, ages newborn to 17. Bessie was also a committed member of the Windsor Memorial Baptist Church. She is predeceased by her husband and parents. Bessie is survived by her loving children, Charlotte Reynolds and husband Robert of Weeks Mills, Maine; Charlene Mosher and husband Timothy; Bruce Dow; Berry Dow and wife Diane; Betty Pierce and husband Walter (Bub); and Brian Dow, all of Windsor, Maine. A celebration of her life will be held at Windsor Christian Fellowship, 9 Reed Road, Windsor, Maine on Saturday, May 7 at 1:00 pm. Burial will immediately follow at Rest Haven Cemetery in Windsor. Memorial donations may be made in Bessie’s name to Windsor Christian Fellowship: Sanctuary Fund, 9 Reed Road, Windsor, Maine 04363.