Obituary of Edna (Bowden) Risteen

Edna (Bowden) Risteen 95, wife of Donald E. Risteen, Sr. of Marblehead with whom she shared 74 years of marriage, died Wednesday morning at the Lafayette Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing facility in Marblehead. Mrs. Risteen was born on December 25, 1909 in Marblehead, daughter of the late Russell and Mabel (Kimball) Bowden. She was raised and educated in the Peabody School System, but left High School to help raise her siblings and work. She was employed at the Danvers Bleachery for several years. On her 80th birthday, Mrs. Risteen received an honorary High School diploma awarded in 1989 by Mayor Peter A. Torigian. She resided in Marblehead from 1948 to 1965. She then made her home in Sarasota Florida for 37 years before returning to Marblehead in 2002. She was very involved in the Old North Church in Marblehead and a member of the Order of Eastern Star in Marblehead, The Hons of Aleppo Temple and Sahib Temple of Sarasota Florida. Mrs. Risteen and her husband traveled extensively throughout the world. She was an accomplished seamstress who also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, cake decorating, playing the organ and calligraphy. In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son and his wife, Donald E. and Mary Risteen of Cocoa Beach FL; a daughter with whom she resided, Dorothy E. Klocker of Marblehead; a brother and his wife, Russell and Marion Bowden of Peabody; 3 sisters and a brother-in-law, Alice Reid of Danvers, Ruth Heckburt of Lynn, Louise and Allison Babe Chase of Peabody; 6 grandchildren, Vickie Risteen and Scott Klocker both of Marblehead, Kimberly Belanger of Dunbarton NH, and Ryan, Shawn and Dane Risteen all of FL; 5 great grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grandnephews. Also pre deceased by a grandson Donald R. Risteen and her siblings Walter, James and Albert Bowden. A memorial service will be held on Saturday March 19th at 1:30 PM in the Old North Church, 41 Washington St. Marblehead.. The family will receive relatives and friends Friday from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 20 Church St., Peabody location. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Shriners Burns Hospital, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114.