Linda Gerry, Lincoln Resident and church secretary, dies at 79

A single yellow Post-it note, stuck quietly to a computer monitor in a Lincoln home, held a familiar verse from Luke: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

For Linda (Bowers) Gerry, that heart belonged entirely to the town where she was born, the church where she worked for three decades, and the sprawling family gatherings she spent a lifetime orchestrating. Gerry passed away on October 29, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Portland following a brief illness, at the age of 79.

Building a Life in Lincoln

Born on February 7, 1947, to Linwood and Marilyn (Hill) Bowers, Linda grew up attending local schools before graduating from Mattanawcook Academy with the class of 1965. Shortly after, she married her high school sweetheart, Stanley “Mike” Gerry. Together, they built an enduring life in their hometown rooted in perseverance, sacrifice, and community loyalty.

Her footprint across Lincoln stretched far beyond her immediate household. As a lifelong member of the First Congregational Church, she served as church secretary for over 30 years, stepping into roles as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and tireless organizer for the May Basket Committee, the Sisters Group, and the River Drivers Supper.

Her civic involvement was equally steady. She worked as a local substitute teacher, led the Mattanawcook Academy Alumni Association as president, and threw her energy behind sports and music boosters clubs. Generations of voters grew accustomed to seeing her welcoming face working the polls during local elections. Ever dedicated to her roots, she organized monthly lunches for her 1965 graduating class year after year, keeping those youthful friendships alive well into adulthood.

Family Legacy at Nicatous Lake

Linda’s devotion to her family extended well beyond her children and grandchildren. She served as president of the Bowers Family Reunion, helping bring generations together each summer, and worked with the Bowers Camp Foundation to preserve the family camps on Nicatous Lake—a place her family lovingly called “Almost Heaven.”

She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Linwood “Towser” Bowers, and her husband, Mike. She is survived by her children—Patti Thurlow and her husband, Glenn; Stanley “Skip” Michael Gerry Jr. and his wife, Melissa; Kathi; Rob; and Susanne—along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her siblings, Barbara, Beverly, Mary, Joan, Ralph, and Bonnie.

Community Members Gather for Visitation and Funeral Services

Community members and loved ones will gather to remember her life during upcoming services.

Visitation: Thursday, November 5, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Bowers Funeral Home, 7 Lee Rd., Lincoln.
Funeral Service: Friday, November 6, at 11 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 19 School St., Lincoln, ME. A luncheon in the church dining room will follow.
Burial: Friday, November 6, at 2 p.m. at Mount Repose Cemetery in Burlington.

Online condolences and memories can be shared directly through the Bowers Funeral Home website.