Madeline Rose Dowd

Madeline R. Dowd, age 81, of Alma, died Monday, January 9, 2012, at Gratiot Medical Center in Alma.

Madeline was born January 4, 1931, the daughter of Edward and Dorothy Bell (Wells) Turner. She married Clair Dowd in April , 1960, and had 49 years together before he preceded her in death on June 15, 2009. 

Madeline was happy and loved to laugh and tell jokes. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed cooking and canning from the garden. She always remembered those in need and gave what she could to help others, and always donated items to Goodwill. She loved participating in church and spending time reading her prayer books. She also loved her animals, especially cats, dogs, and birds.

Madeline is survived by seven children, Dorothy (John) Anderson of St. Johns, Sue (Don) Farr of Sumner, Cheryl Aldridge of Alma, Danny (Debbie) Dowd of Ithaca, Kevin (Dawn) Dowd of Breckenridge, Darryl Dowd of Alma, and John Dowd of Alma; 12 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and seven brothers and sisters, Geraldine Renner of Montrose, Margaret (Robert) Peterson of Burt, Joyce (William) Peterson of Burt, Arthur (Viola) Turner of Brant, Carol Ryder of Burt, Judy (Eddy) Fisher of Brant, and Phil Turner of Burt. She was preceded in death by her sons, Pat and Mike Aldridge; and her brothers and sister, Jacqueline Zoellner, Edward “Dut” Turner, Bernard Turner, and Hank Turner. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 12, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Ithaca, with Father Jules Spleet officiating. Interment will follow in Pritchard Cemetery, Elwell. Visitation will be 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.