WILMINGTON — On January 10, 2024, Mary Ann Dowdall, 87, and January 20, 2024, James (Jim) J. Dowdall, 88, both of Wilmington, passed away peacefully.
Lovingly married for 69 years; cherished parents of Mary B. Russell (Jeff), James W. Dowdall (Theresa), Michael H. Dowdall (Rhonda) and the late Stephen B. Dowdall (Ashley); treasured grandmother of Dr. Megan E. Eatman (Charlie), James A. Eatman (Katherine), Bryan C. Dowdall (Ashley), Seamus M. Dowdall, Mack C. Dowdall, Kaelan F. Dowdall and Joseph F. Dowdall; great grandparents and aunt and uncle to many loving nephews, nieces, grand nephews and grand nieces; many loving friends.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents Francis and Mary Hayden, brother Denis and son Stephen. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James and Esther Dowdall, sisters Katherine Whelan and Mary (Marie) Fealy, brothers Valentine Ward, John Ward and son Stephen.
Jim and Mary Ann were born in Brooklyn, NY as first generation children of Irish immigrant parents. They met while in high school and were married in 1955. Jim attended Fordham University and he and Mary Ann welcomed their first child Stephen in 1956. Following graduation in 1957 from Fordham Jim entered the US Army as a First Lieutenant and served for two years in El Paso, TX and Caribou, ME. They welcomed their daughter Mary while in Caribou in 1959.
Following military service Jim began his career with Western Electric and they moved to Ridgefield, NJ. There they welcomed the births of James in 1964 and Michael in 1965. Shortly thereafter they relocated to Columbus, OH as Jim worked as Production Manager at the Western Electric Columbus Works. It was here that Jim began a career in Labor Relations as a result of the telephone company divestiture. Now with AT&T, the family relocated to Ramsey, NJ and then on to Greensboro, NC. In 1986, Jim and Mary Ann moved to Madison, NJ where Jim assumed the leadership of Labor Relations for AT&T. Jim retired from AT&T after 35 + years to lead Labor Relations for NYNEX and then after a merger, went on to lead Labor Relations for Bell Atlantic and ultimately Verizon. Jim retired in 1999, he and Mary Ann moved to Wilmington, NC.
Mary Ann and Jim were devoted and completely in love their entire marriage and were an inspiration to all that knew them. They loved spending time with family and friends. Always kind to whomever they met, they developed meaningful relationships and were always interested in learning about people’s lives and interests. Both also had tremendous senses of humor and ready laughs. Philanthropy was very important to them both. Being children of immigrants they held a strong desire to “give back”. Supporters of scores of charities they were most proud of the endowed scholarships they established. The James J. and Mary Ann Dowdall Scholarships established at Bishop Loughlin High School (formerly Saint Augustine’s) in Brooklyn and at Fordham University funded tuition for students in financial need.
The family would like to thank the staff at Cambridge Village Senior Living, specifically the Interim Healthcare team. The team provided loving and devoted care to our parents. Our parents viewed all of the staff as friends and family. We’d also like to thank the dedicated and compassionate staff at Lower Cape Fear Life Care for their dedicated care of Jim and the family in his final days.
Funeral arrangements are in process and will be announced soon.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, and if so desired, donations be made to the following organizations in memory of Mary Ann and Jim:
