Stow, MA
Frances Hannah E. (Bower) Riel, 74, of Stow, formerly of Sudbury, died Wednesday, July 18th at her residence. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Richard F. Riel of Stow.
Frances was born in Long Island, NY, daughter of the late Joseph and Libby (Berman) Bower. She was a graduate of Winthrop High School and later received her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Vassar College in New York. She continued her education attending Harvard Summer School for 4 summers, Boston University, Simmons College Summer Institute in Creative Writing and received her Master’s Degree in Education and Behavioral Studies from Boston University in 1965. She later received her Doctorate Degree in Humanistic and Behavioral Studies from Boston University in 1972.
Frances has resided in Stow for the past 27 years after moving from Sudbury. Her passion as a teacher of English spanned many years until her retirement in 1985. She spent 7 years at Notre Dame Prep School where she received the Teacher of the Year Award. She was a member of the National Council of English Teachers; Massachusetts Teachers Association; Belmont High School Scholarship Committee and published the Literary Digest and Journal of History of Ideas. She received many awards during her career including Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition; City of Fitchburg First Annual Rotary Recognition Award; Thomas M. Finneran House of Representatives Gold Seal Citation and Massachusetts State Senate Official Gold Seal Citation. Frances was proud of disseminating the knowledge she had and motivating her students to lead productive and intelligent lives.
Besides her husband, she is survived by her sister, Molleah Greenberg of South Carolina; her nephew, Michael Greenberg and two nieces, Judy and Jo Ann Greenberg.
Private services to be held. Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, Inc. 50 Central Street, Hudson, MA 01749 (www.tighehamilton.com).
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Frances may be made to: Buddy Dog, 151 Boston Post Road, Sudbury, MA 01776.