Marilyn J. Bowser Watkins

Marilyn J. Bowser Watkins

Marilyn J. Bowser Watkins, age 73, of Erie, died Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at Golden Living Western Reserve following a brief illness. She was born June 23, 1934 in Butler, PA, a daughter of the late Arthur and Katherine Bowser. She lived in Erie most of her life.

She was a foster mother of 18 children. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Joann K. Watkins; one brother and ten sisters.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Charles P. Watkins, Sr., of Erie; three daughters, Cathy A. Watkins and Joann K. Watkins, both of Erie, and Cindy M. Snow and her husband, Larry of Girard, PA; and three sons, Charles P. Watkins, Jr., and his wife, Christine, David A. Watkins, and his wife, Lisa, and James A. Watkins, all of Erie. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, on Sunday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and may attend a service there on Monday at 9:30 a.m. with the Rev. Harry H. Johns III officiating. Burial will be in Wintergreen Gorge Cemetery.