Ronan Barbara Bowen Gould, of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, died Thursday, July 21, peacefully in her home. She was born on May 9, 1943, in Daytona Beach, Florida.

She was the daughter of Virginia Berry of Bourne, Massachusetts, and James Bowen Jr. of Jacksonville, Florida.

Ronan came to Onset, Massachusetts in 1953 and resided with her maternal aunt and uncle Harriot Berry and Harold Hatch.

She attended Wareham High School, graduating in 1961.  In 1960 she was chosen as the American Field Service exchange student to Bakirkoy, Turkey.  Other accomplishments include five years as a band majorette, treasurer National Honor Society, and four years as a student council member.  She graduated from Wilfred Academy in 1962.

Ronan married G. Michael Besse in 1963 and lived in Onset, Massachusetts with their only child Lynne Michelle, born in 1965.  Ronan married Doug Gould 1979 in Potter Place.  She retired from Proctor Academy after 25 years.  Her favorite job there was managing the student lounge, “The Den”.

She founded Ro’s Garden in 1984, and was certified Organic by the state of New Hampshire. 
Her many interests included raising animals, gardening, travel, photography, snorkeling, and rollerblading.  She and her canine companion were frequent hikers of the mountains, their quaint country home.

She is survived by her daughter, Lynne Besse-Carey and her husband Stephen of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts.  Stepdaughters Gina and Greg Wagner of Bristol, New Hampshire, Melissa and Michael Byrd of Dover, New Hampshire; two grandchildren, Kayla Wagner and Max Byrd.  Her stepmother Phyllis Bowen Reynolds of Asheville, North Carolina.

She lived a full life enjoying all aspects of weather and sports of the season.  Her faith was strong and considered Mother Nature her best friend.

A celebration of life is being planned. In honor of her memory, donations can be made to the Doberman Rescue of the Triad at doberman-rescue.com.