Louise M. (Marchese) Bowen Desso

North Greenbush - Louise M. (Marchese) Desso Bowen, 95, of Bloomingrove Drive, passed away Monday, August 27, 2018, at Van Rensselaer Manor, surrounded by her loving family and the dedicated professionals of the Manor. 

Born in Troy, she was the daughter of the late Luigi Marchese and Addolorata Ragosta Marchese. She was a lifelong resident of Troy and attended Troy schools.   Louise hit the ground running at a young age in her first job as an accomplished seamstress for Cluett, Peabody & Company for 10 years, and became one of the company’s top producers. This paved the way for her entrepreneurial spirit as a business owner for years to come. An independent hard-working woman ahead of her time, Louise was business savvy co-owner and operator of Troy Photo Services for 40 years, Landmark Pub for 10 years and the Schuylerville Hotel for 8 years. As she moved on to the next phase of her life, Louise never slowed down. In fact, she retained her driver’s license until age 93, allowing her to focus on service to others and to embrace activities she loved. She was a long-time member of the Italian Community Center (ICC), often volunteering at bingo, and served the community with her volunteer services at Van Rensselaer Manor and St. Jude’s Church. She long enjoyed being a part of the bocce team of the ICC, socializing as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Troy, traveling with the Wynantskill and Watervliet Seniors, and remained physically active well into her 80s with Silver Sneakers. For many years she was an avid bowler and card player. Louise was always family oriented and experienced such joy as the favorite spectator of her grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s sports endeavors. She never missed a family gathering, holiday, picnic or reunion, and lived for the visits, lunches and outings with all of her family and good friends. She simply never stopped
enjoying life. 

Survivors include her two sons, Louis J. (Debra) Desso of Wynantskill and James F. (Cynthia) Desso of Niskayuna; three grandchildren, Jonathan (Julie), Jamie and Evan Desso; two great grandchildren, Camilla and Nicholas Desso; her sister-in-law, Mary Phyllis Marchese, and many nieces and nephews, as well as many other relatives and friends. Louise was predeceased by her former husbands, Ted Desso and George Bowen, her brothers Dominick, Jerry, Charles, Frank and Louis Marchese, and her sisters Antoinette Miller and Dorothy Marie Crupe.

For the last almost two years, Louise was a resident at Van Rensselaer Manor, where she was adored by staff and many residents. But more importantly, she received caring services that allowed her to maintain the highest quality of life possible. The Desso family is forever grateful for the devoted and loving attention she always received while at the Manor.

Relatives and friends may call at St. Jude the Apostle Church, 43 Brookside Avenue, Wynantskill, on Thursday, August 30, 2018, from 5-8 PM. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, August 31, 2018, at 9:30 AM at St. Jude the Apostle Church, with Rev. Anthony Ligato, Pastor, officiating. Entombment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Contributions may be made in memory of Louise M. Bowen to St. Jude the Apostle Church, 43 Brookside Avenue, Wynantskill, NY 12198, or to the charity of your choice. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Louise M. (Marchese) Bowen Desso, please visit our floral store.