Mildred L. McDowell

October 26, 1932 - June 20, 2015

Mildred L. McDowell

October 26, 1932 - June 20, 2015

Obituary

Mildred McDowell passed away June 20 quietly in the loving presence of all her children.

Mildred grew up in southern California. She met her husband to be, Virgil, while visiting family in Redding, CA. They were childhood sweethearts and married when they were 17. It just so happened that Mildred’s cousin Barbara married Virgil’s brother Wesley. Mildred, Virgil, and the kids camped all over California, every year at Yosemite, and lots of other places.
After 20 years in California, Mildred moved to Ferndale, Washington in 1970 when the refinery needed a good man and transferred Virgil from LA to the new one at Cherry Point.

Mildred McDowell was a lot of things in her life, and some of them might surprise someone just getting to know her. For instance, she was a loving wife and mother of four, but she also had a great sense of adventure. Mildred could be seen hot-rodding around town in a souped-up, jacked up four by four Jeep. She learned how to fly a plane and successfully soloed a Cessna 150 at age 42. And, when her husband didn’t want to go on a trip back east or to Hawaii, she traveled on her own just fine.

Mildred gave back to her community by helping the Moose club prepare meals for the less fortunate through Maple Alley Inn. She and Virgil volunteered with Search and Rescue, the 4×4 club and The Firemen’s Auxiliary.

Her garden showed her love of flowers, which included lining the driveway with beautiful blossoms.

When she retired as an operator from the phone company, they retired her connector too, the old style plug that was used to join calls, and gave it to her. She kept it on a key chain for many years, and later in her sewing things. She also worked at Pynor’s Market which is now called Greene’s Corner, and at the Parkade.

Mildred’s kid’s remember how hard she worked, never complaining, and how she would do without so they would be spoiled. She repeated this pattern with her grandkids. She loved her family fiercely, intensely, and they love her back. It was easy to see how much she loved them by the look on her face when one of them walked in the room. She will be missed.

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7 responses to Mildred L. McDowell

  1. I’m feeling your pain over the loss of your mom. Im praying for you all.
    Love Lanell

  2. Errol says:

    I offer my deepest condolences to the family. May you continue to rely on our Creator and his word the bible for strength to endure this difficult time. (1 Peter 5:7)www.jw.org

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