Kathleen Minnie (Nitz) McDowell
Obituary

Kathleen Minnie Nitz McDowell
Kathleen
Kathleen Minnie Nitz McDowell, 81, of Trappe, Pa., a retired educator, lifelong community volunteer, and loving mother and grandmother, died Saturday, December 7, 2013. Kathleen was born to the late Elsie and Albert Nitz on January 8, 1932, in Akron, Ohio. Kathleen graduated from Buchtel High School in 1950 and received a degree in elementary education from Kent State University in 1954. In 1955, she married her high school sweetheart, Richard Bruce McDowell. After four months in Fort Sill, Okla., they moved to Wadsworth, Ohio, where they lived together for 58 years. After their two children started school, she taught elementary school for 28 years. After retirement, they moved to Trappe, Pa. in 2004.

Kathleen's life was one of loving service to her family, community and church. In Akron and Wadsworth, her service included: past president of Children's Concert Society, Kappa Phi service sorority, Literature and Arts Society, Ohio Educators Association, Medina County Selective Service Board, Salvation Army, Treasurer of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, and countless soup kitchens, clothing, toy and book drives. In Trappe, she co-chaired the Trappe Community Day for multiple years, served on the Trappe Zoning Hearing Board, and the Trappe Open Space Board. She was an active member of the Collegeville Community Club, a member of the Red Hat Society, and active in outreach at St. James' Episcopal Church.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Richard; two children, Alan McDowell (Suzanne) of Manassas, Va., and Susan Mudambi (Ram) of Blue Bell, Pa.; four grandchildren, Rajan, Maya, Jay, and Cady; her sister, Donna Guckeyson of Akron, Ohio; and her brother, Albert Nitz of Akron, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Virgil and Paul; and by her sister, Elizabeth.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 13 at St. James' Episcopal Church, 3768 Germantown Pike, Collegeville, PA 19426. A visitation with the family will start at 10:30 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. James' Episcopal Church Outreach House, or to a charity of one's choice charity of one's choice charity of one's choice . Arrangements are by Moore, Snear, and Ruggiero Funeral Home, Trappe, Pa.


Reviewed: 12/25/2013