Marie Rita Dowd

Worcester - Marie R. (Dunn) Dowd, 90, beloved wife of Philip M. Dowd, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at the Notre Dame Du Lac Assisted Living Center. Born and raised in Worcester, she was the daughter of the late James and Marie (Walsh) Dunn.

While attending Commerce High School, Marie met her future husband, Phil Dowd. On August 20, 1955, they were married in Immaculate Conception Church where they remained very active parishioners for more than 70 years, volunteering in the coffee shop, as well as Friday night BINGO for many years.

They settled in a friendly neighborhood where together they raised their two children. Marie loved her afternoon tea with friends. They would bring their crocheting, knitting or quilting. She was a talented seamstress as well, sewing clothes for her family and Halloween costumes for her grandchildren. Marie enjoyed her career as an accounting representative for Sawyer Lumber Company for 18 years and then State Mutual/Hanover Insurance Co. until she retired in 1998. At that time, she became a volunteer at St. Vincent Hospital for many years.

Her loved ones will always remember her hosting family pizza nights for years at the house on Hastings Ave.

She will be lovingly missed and remembered by her husband of 69 years, Philip Dowd of Worcester; her son, Stephen P. Dowd and his wife, Kathleen of Oxford; her daughter, Diane M. Kirk and her partner, Todd Stolberg of Princeton; her 5 grandchildren including Jaclyn, Tori and Laura Kirk and Haley and Sam Dowd; her great-grandson, James and two great-grandchildren on the way; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Marie was predeceased by her brother, James W. Dunn and her grandson, Zachary Dowd.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather with her family from 9 to 10 a.m. on Friday, June 28 in the Notre Dame du Lac Chapel, 555 Plantation Street, Worcester. A funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. in the chapel. Marie will be laid to rest in St. John's Cemetery, 260 Cambridge Street, Worcester following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.