Christine F. Gilkes, 82, Loved Her Children, Pets

Christine F. Gilkes of Oak Bluffs died Sunday, August 4, 2002 at the Martha's Vineyard hospital. She was 82 years of age. She was married to Cooper A. Gilkes, who predeceased her Oct. 23, 1990 and formerly to Earl K. Bowes, also deceased.

She was born on Dec. 22, 1919, in North Woodstock, N.H., the daughter of Lyman Cloud and Clara Paschal. She grew up in New Hampshire and lived for a short while in Newton before returning to North Woodstock. She had been an Island resident since 1971.

Mrs. Gilkes spent most of her life in the retail trade, and she managed the first Cumberland Farms store with Cooper. They also owned and operated the Antique and Decoy Shop on Towanticut avenue in Oak Bluffs.

She is survived by her two sons, James L. Bowes and his wife Ann of West Moreland, N.H., and Thomas E. Bowes of Oak Bluffs; her daughter, Susan Blodgett and her husband, David of Hodges, S.C.; and step-children of Edgartown; 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Gilkes was also the surrogate mother of some of her many nieces and nephews and foster mother of many children. She leaves behind her most loved pets, her dog, Bumper, and her two cats, Lacy and Daisy.

A graveside service for the interment of her cremains will be held on Friday, August 23, at 11 a.m. in Oak Grove Cemetery, Oak Bluffs. Donations may be made in her memory to the Visiting Nurse Association, P.O. Box 2568, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs.