Board of Directors

Carol Bowden graduated from Notre Dame High School in Cambridge Mass and went on to Cosmetology School and has worked in the field for the past 40 plus years Carol is involved in continuing education in that field. She attended the School for Life Long Learning, finishing several semesters in adult education, including management and psychology.

She has owned her own Business in downtown Derry for the past 23 years, and is a contributing member of the Greater Derry, Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, and is on the Downtown Economic Development Committee as well.

She has served as the Chairman of the Board of the Derry Friendship Center for the past 8 years, and continues to bring her expertise and passion to serve as such.

Patricia was born in Akron, Ohio and currently lives in Londonderry, New Hampshire. She attended the University of Akron and graduated with a degree in Information Technology. She has dedicated her career in IT, specializing in software development, vendor system implementations, and technical project and people management across multiple industries.

Having spent much time in the health care environment, service, process improvement, and communication are some of the relative professional skills that led to her interest and involvement with the Derry Friendship Center. As a Board member since 2015, this has given her the opportunity to fulfill her ongoing interest and commitment to community service.

Community service has always been important to me. I have been a member of the Derry Conservation Commission for nearly thirty years, and am a past East Derry Fire District Commissioner. Also, I was among a group of citizens who successfully saved and renovated the Upper Village Hall. Being a member of the DFC Board of Directors is an honor, as it provides such valuable services to our community.

In 2021, I retired from the insurance industry, where I spent 40 plus years as a personal and commercial lines General Insurance Adjuster.

My interests include gardening, woodturning, blacksmithing, hiking and camping, among others. I am an avid birdwatcher and enjoy all things that have to do with the outdoors and natural history.

I have called Derry home since 1980, when my wife and I purchased a small piece of heaven and built a small post and beam home, where we raised two now grown children.

The first “third” of my life was spent as a student and teacher of French and Spanish. I earned a BS and MS in French literature and loved my years living in France.

I got sober in 1994 and realized a truer calling, which led me to be honest about who I am and what I was called to do.

So I entered my second “third,” which included more studying and ordained ministry in the United Church of Christ. I earned an M. Div., and later a D. Min. in preaching. I’ve been a pastor for more than 20 years. I am currently the Senior Pastor and Teacher at my fourth church, First Parish Congregational Church, UCC in East Derry.

And I am entering my third “third” of life in this physical form, I’ve become increasingly open to the myriad of ways that Spirit dips and digs into our physicality. Mindfulness techniques and various meditations are life-giving and spirit-opening. I found the labyrinth and sought training through Veriditas, and am now a Certified Labyrinth Facilitator. I have hosted dozens of walks on a variety of labyrinths – indoors and outdoors. One gift of the pandemic was learning how “walking” the labyrinth can be done without ever walking! All of my walking led me to realizing a life-long dream of writing a book, which is now in its editing phase! So exciting! I love co-creating and providing opportunities for people to come together to share stories of their faith journeys.

None of this would be possible without my sobriety. I give thanks every day for Alcoholics Anonymous and for the people I’ve met through this life-saving, life-giving program.

Karla first became involved with the DFC administration in 2012. She is a Graduate of Quincy College with a degree in Computer Science and has worked in Peer-to-Peer Support for organization’s that focus on behavior change for over 30 years.

Karla is a Certified Recovery Support Worker (CRSW) and comes from a family with a history of substance use disorders. She is passionate about changing people’s perception of addiction and giving back to the community to promote recovery.