Dorothy L. (Stowell) Hicks, 78, of New Bedford died Wednesday August 12, 2009 unexpectedly at home. She was the wife of the late William F. Hicks.

Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Edna M. (Haskell) and Asa T. Stowell, Jr., she lived in New Bedford all of her life.

Mrs. Hicks was employed as a home health aide for the Kennedy-Donovan Center for many years.

Survivors include two children, Lorna Wingate and her husband William of New Bedford and William Perry and his wife Debbie of Port Charlotte, FL; three grandchildren, Matthew, Beth, and Crystal Perry; and several nieces and nephews.

She was the mother of the late Mark Perry, and sister of the late William and Russell Stowell.

Private funeral arrangements were by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford.