Mary Ann Dowd

Mary Ann Dowd of Hershey, PA, left her earthly life and went to meet her Creator on February 20, 2016. Her husband John H. "Jack" Dowd preceded her in death in April 2004. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother, leaving behind her son, Dr. Brian J. Dowd and his wife Nora, in Atlanta GA, along with her grandson Trevor who is in New Orleans, LA. She also leaves behind her daughter Loisann and her husband Paul White and two granddaughters, Caitlin White in Baden, Ontario and Colleen White in New York City. Also surviving are cousins Michael Prisloe of Connecticut and Lois O'Connor of Hawaii. She was born and raised in Connecticut and had graduated from the University of Connecticut where she was president of the Women's Student Government Association and the editor of the college newspaper, The Connecticut Campus, in her junior year. In addition, she was editor in her senior year of The National Newman Club News. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi women's fraternity. She was one of the first graduate students to obtain her graduate degree from Penn State, which was then known as Capital Campus in Harrisburg, PA. Mrs. Dowd was an active member of her church, St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Hershey, where she taught Bible Study and was an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist for over 20 years. She was a member of the Hershey Country Club; a member of the Harvard Club of New York City; the Derry Township Historical Society; the Mohler Senior Citizens Center; and the Hershey Horticultural Society. As a member of the Hershey Horticultural Society Mary served a term as president and took top honors several times in flower arranging at their annual flower show. She was an avid reader, an artist, and a writer. She also did volunteer work with the Newton – Wellesley Hospital in Massachusetts and in the early stages of the Hershey Medical Center. She was also instrumental in the Friends of the Hershey library. When her husband accepted a position at what was then known as Hershey Chocolate, it was to aid the company in starting to advertise. It was an opportunity that led to his appointment as the very first Vice President in charge of New Products. He was the enabler behind Hershey's venture to advertise Reese's Pieces in the film production "E.T." he was also president of Hershey Rotary and was the first president of the friends of the new Hershey Library. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, (Feb. 27) at 11:00 a.m. at the family plot in Mount St. Benedict Cemetery, 1 Cottage Grove Rd. Bloomfield. The family respectfully request memorial contributions in lieu of flowers to the Heart of the Parish Fund, c/o St. Joan of Arc, 350 W. Areba Ave., Hershey, PA 17033. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com