Mary J. Dowling

GOUVERNEUR — Mary J. Dowling (80) of St. Francis Village, Crowley, Texas died December 10, 2009 at Harris Methodist Hospital, Fort Worth, Texas after a brief illness.

Born on October 27, 1929 to John and Ann (Thompson) Hall in Gouverneur, NY. She graduated from Gouverneur High School in 1947. She was married to Joseph J. Dowling II in 1962. Mr. Dowling died in 2002 in Florida.

During her early life in the Northeast, she was employed by New York Telephone, New Jersey Bell, Kinney Drugs and the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. In 1979, upon moving permanently to Texas she was employed by Baker Atlas Inc. in Grand Prairie, Texas until her retirement.

Mary is survived by her son and daughter, Joseph "Jody" (Debbie) Dowling III, Arlington, TX and Maria (Scott) Speelman, Grand Prairie, TX and three grandchildren, Caitlin and Shane Ellason and Paul Dowling. A sister, Nancy Cappellino and her husband, Dan Caruso, of Gouverneur, NY and many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive her. She was predeceased by her parents and a sister, Margaret "Peggy" (Leon) Wells, of Point Vivian, NY.

She loved the holidays, movies and celebrations with her children and grandchildren and especially enjoyed returning to Northern New York for summer family reunions. Her many trips with Elderhostel especially to Vancouver, Canada were a particular joy in her retirement.

Mary was a communicant of St. Francis Church in Crowley, TX where she was a Eucharistic Minister and an usher. A mass for the celebration of her life will be held at St. Francis Church in the near future.

At St. Francis Village, her cottage, the church, the staff members and the village families were a special part of her life. At their many parties, she enjoyed playing the part of a clown wearing large coveralls, face paint and an orange wig. As a volunteer at the Fort Worth Humane Society, her special task was petting frightened kittens. As a member of the Red Hat Society, she enjoyed their many trips for lunch, shopping and shows.

Her final resting place is in Victoria, BC, Canada where she spent many vacations with relatives and friends.