Oakland - Gwyneth May, "Gwyn," Bown of Oakland, Maine passed away unexpectedly at MaineGeneral in Augusta on June 5, 2023 following a chronic illness. She was born in Waterville, Maine on May 1, 1957, the youngest of three siblings. Her parents, William & Nancy (Sweet) Bown, both served in WW II in the US and British Army. Gwyn graduated from Waterville High School in 1976 and earned her degree in Early Childhood Education in 1980 from the University of Maine at Orono. She was an exceptional athlete in many sports including field hockey, track & field, and ice hockey. Her proudest accomplishment was placing seventh in the nation with her 169-yd javelin throw, missing the Olympic Trials by six inches. She also scored the first goal in history for the UMaine Women's Ice Hockey Club against Colby College. After college, Gwyn worked at the WTVL Boys/Girls Club for ten years and coached field hockey and track at the high school. In 1989, she joined the Department of Defense as Coordinator of the Landstul School Age Program in Germany and later as Childcare Coordinator of the Baumholder School Age Program in Germany for over thirteen years. During her tenure, Gwyn touched several lives, entertaining many of the local German community with her witty humor, her culinary skills, and her wonderful gift of living life to the fullest. Priority placement returned her to the States in February of 2003 as the 412th Force Support Squadron Youth Program Director at Edwards Air Force Base in California. She supervised multiple programs and facilities while at Edwards and served for a year as acting Flight Chief for the Squadron's Child and Youth Flight. Following her 30-yr retirement and decorated service to the Department of Defense, she fulfilled her dream of returning to her roots in Maine to live on Messalonskee Lake by her beloved, life-long friends and family. Gwyn spent her brief retirement years traveling to her favorite Maine places, fishing on her boat, cooking for the neighborhood, snowmobiling on the lake, swimming at the Alfond Youth Center, and watching the loons migrate each season. Gwyn was predeceased by her parents, William and Nancy Bown of Waterville; her brother, Warren Bown of North Anson, and her brother-in-law, Paul Hopkins of Syracuse, NY. She is survived by her sister, Chris Hopkins of Syracuse, NY, nephews Eric Hopkins of Londonderry, NH (wife Meredith Hopkins, son Ericson), Ryan Hopkins of Syracuse NY; sister-in-law Beth Bown of Skowhegan, ME, nephews Matthew Bown of North Anson, ME (wife Amy Bown, daughter Ashley Bown of MA), Nathaniel Bown of Murfreesboro, TN (wife Kate Bown, sons Silas, Adien, and Oakley); niece Katy Perkins of Cornville, ME (husband Don Perkins, daughter Annah Perkins); her extended Fowler family, best friend Michelle Fowler and partner Deb Strout of Oakland, ME, Edgar Fowler and wife Sharon Fowler of Oakland, ME and Tonya Fowler of South Portland, ME; her cherished military family & dearest friend Andrea Castex of Boerne, TX, husband Kenny Castex (daughter Allie Castex), son Grayson Steele of Roseville, CA; special childhood friend Evelyn Carter of Vassalboro, ME along with many other friends, cousins, aunts, and uncles. There will be no visiting hours or funeral services. The family will hold a private Celebration of Life in late July. In lieu of flowers, monetary donations can be made directly to: South End Teen Center, 5 Libby Ct, Waterville, ME in memory of Gwyn. (Share thoughts, pictures, and memories at Dan & Scott's Cremation and Funeral Service Dignity website)