Ann M. Dowd (nee Mullen) passed away at her home with daughter, Catherine Dowd and niece, Carol Clancy Silver at her bedside on August 10, 2023. Ann was born on May 29, 1930 in Queens, NY to a proud family of Scottish and Irish immigrants. The youngest of seven, she was always surrounded by family and it remained her most important touchstone throughout her life. She married her husband and the love and light of her life, James H. Dowd, of 63 years in 1952 and they soon moved to Matawan, NJ where they made friends in their tight knit neighborhood which became a second family.
Ann was an amazing mother to her three children, Jim, Cathy and Mary. She had the rare talent of making each feel like the favored child. Ann loved being a mother and homemaker and her baking is legendary among those who knew her.
Her boundless energy extended to her jobs as a school bus driver and sales person as well as volunteering for the League of Women's voters, as a Eucharistic Minister and at her parish at Saints Peter & Paul the Apostles Catholic Church in her retirement home of Bradenton, FL.
As much as she loved her husband and children, there was no greater joy than spending time with her precious grandchildren, Melissa, Devin and Keenan. "Grammie" was game whether they wanted help with a craft project, one of her delicious fruit kuchens or someone to travel with Flat Stanley. Having Brunna join the family as her new granddaughter-in-law just multiplied the joy.
She is predeceased by her husband, James H. Dowd; granddaughter, Melissa A. Dowd as well as her parents, William and Catherine Mullen; siblings, Mary Leun (Albert), William Mullen (Elizabeth), Terrence Mullen (Martha) Thomas Mullen (Vinnie), James Mullen (Virginia) and Philip Mullen (Catherine). Ann is survived by her three children, James C. Dowd, Catherine R. Dowd and Mary Dowd-Martin; grandchildren, Devin Martin, Keenan Martin; daughter-in-law, Brunna Dutra Martin, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Ann's life will be celebrated with a Memorial Service 10 AM, Thursday, August 31, 2023, at the chapel at Saints Peter & Paul the Apostles Catholic Church. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Tidewell Hospice (tidewellhospice.com). Condolences may be made to www.brownandsonsfuneral.com
