Doris A. (Bowen) Bir, a few months short of her 100th birthday, died peacefully in D’ Youville Senior Care in Lowell after a period of declining health. She was the beloved wife of Charles, “Chuck,” Bir who died in 1975, and the mother of Robert C. Bir who died in August 2022.

Doris was the daughter of the late Harry and Lora (Pratt) Bowen. She was predeceased by her siblings, Robert Bowen, Frances Porter, Harry “Cranston” Bowen, Lois Stickney, and Barbara Beek.

Her passion was her family and nursing. She graduated from Lowell General Hospital during WW II and worked at Lowell General for decades. In her early sixties, Doris graduated from New England College with a BS in Psychology and Sociology. She then worked at New England Rehab Hospital until her retirement at age 70.

When Doris was not helping sick people, she was in her garden creating beauty all around her and her neighbors. Her house was the home base for her family spread out over the east coast. She had lived on Glen Avenue in Chelmsford her entire life until her health demanded a change of residence.

Doris is survived by daughter-in-law, Lynne Bir, who was her caregiver for her last many years, her son and daughter-in-law, Richard E. Bir and Susan (Anderson) Bir of Brevard, NC; her grandsons Steven C. Bir and his wife Cynthia of Lee, NH, Sean C. Bir and his wife Katie of Greensboro, NC, and her granddaughter, Beth Bir of Fayetteville, NC; her great-grandchildren, Katelyn Walden and her husband Scott of Epping, NH, Andrew Bir and David Bir of Greensboro, NC, Lora Bir and Annie Bir of Fayetteville, NC, and her great-great granddaughters, Rosie and Nikita Walden of Lee, NH; and several special nieces and nephews.

Doris’s wish to the people she left behind was to have them know that it is OK to be different, to trust themselves, and to pursue one’s own dreams and learn from any failures. She was a great non-judgmental listener who valued everyone.

Funeral Service and Interment will be held privately.