Supermum loses her fight for life

Maureen Bowers

Tributes have been paid to a mum-in-a-million who worked tirelessly to provide foster care for youngsters in Oldham.

Maureen Bowers passed away at her home in Waterhead on Wednesday April 20, aged 67.

A mother-of-four, Mrs Bowers worked in cotton mills, at Park Cake Bakery and in elderly people’s homes.

But after her children left home she decided to become a full-time foster carer, a role that would see her bring light to the lives of around 20 children.

Taking in teens aged 11 to 16, she spent over 15 years providing a loving home.

Her daughter Lesley Frankland said: “We couldn’t have wished for a better mum.

“She had a hole in her life and we all encouraged her to foster.

“She had an amazing ability to forgive and forget and she would never hold a grudge. Mum had immense pride in the children she took in and she would really put people on the right track.

“Even when she was ill, they were her primary concern.”

Her dedicated ways saw her become a Pride in Oldham finalist in 2006, and she fostered until the very end.

She was diagnosed with a brain tumour last August. Her son John Lowe said: “She will be greatly missed — she was everyone’s rock and we are unbelievably proud of the work that she did.

“Everyone has been talking about her, she’ll leave a great hole in a lot of people’s lives.”

Maureen leaves behind eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.