Rita C. Bowler, 100, of Manchester, the beloved wife of the late Gerald T. Bowler died Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Manchester Manor. Born in Westfield, MA she was the daughter of the late John and Alice Burke and had lived in Manchester for most of her life. She is survived by her children Rita Borden and her husband Richard of Manchester, and Thomas W. Bowler II and his wife Yolanda of Merritt Island, FL; her grandchildren Mary McKernan and her husband Paul Tortorella, Catherine Healy and her husband General John Healy, John Borden and his wife Cathleen, Kelly Hennigan and her husband Patrick, and Thomas W. Bowler III; and her great-grandchildren Shannon, Paige, Connor, Aidan, Sean, Erin and Calin. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her siblings, and her special friend Frederick Towle. Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 2nd at 9:15 a.m. from the John F. Tierney Funeral Home 219 W. Center St. Manchester with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of the Assumption 29 Adams St. South, Manchester, followed by burial in St. James Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Thomas "Pop" Bowler Scholarship Fund PO Box 382 Westfield, MA 01086. For online condolences please visit www.tierndeyfuneralhome.com.