Eileen P. Dowd

Eileen P. Dowd of Columbus died Thursday, June 28, 2012 at Columbus Community Hospital.

DOWD, EILEEN PATRICIA (O'MALLEY) passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on June 28, 2012. She was born on St. Patrick's Day 1915 to Lawrence W. and Blanche (Burke) O'Malley. She grew up on the family ranch homestead in Holt County, NE. As the oldest of 9 children, she learned early in life the importance of family responsibility. Eileen received her early education at a rural Chambers, NE school and graduated from St. Mary's Academy in O'Neill, NE in 1933. She attended Wayne State College and taught school in one-room schoolhouses in rural Northeast Nebraska. She was fond of recalling the time during a blizzard she closed the little schoolhouse early and rode home safely on horseback, only due to her horses sense of direction and God's grace.

Leo Dowd courted Eileen from Schuyler and when a dozen roses arrived in Petersburg by train and were delivered to her schoolhouse, Leo's romantic gesture helped win her heart. They were married on June 13, 1939, beginning a 64 year loving union marked by a faith-filled devotion which inspired their family always. Their 7 children were raised in Schuyler and later Columbus. Eileen devoutly practiced her Catholic faith as exemplified by her resolute devotion to the Mass, the rosary, Eucharistic adoration and her longstanding involvement with her beloved parish, St. Bonaventure's. She was a member of St. Bonaventure Christian Mothers, Legion of Mary, a founding leader in Perpetual Adoration, Catholic Daughters of America, and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem. She is fondly remembered by her family as a devoted, loving and selfless mother. Her 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren were special joys in her life, especially in her later years when they visited. Her love of nature was demonstrated through simple things; noticing a bird alighting on the bird feeder outside her kitchen window, walks out to her flower garden in evenings to pick roses for her table, or her love of Nebraska sunsets.

Eileen loved to dance with her beloved husband, Leo, especially ballroom dancing. She was a founding member of the Lady of Fatima study club.

Her tender smile, twinkling Irish eyes, quiet presence and compassionate heart will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

Eileen was preceded in death by her by her parents Lawrence W. and Blanche O'Malley, her husband Leo and her sister Sr. Mary Faith, OP (Isabelle).

Survived by children, Deanna Dowd of Lincoln, NE, Duane (Frances) Dowd of Omaha, NE, Larry (JoAnn) of Columbus, NE, Coni Dowd-Molvig (Charlie) of O'Neill, NE, Michael Dowd (Marilyn) Crestone, CO, Colleen Hall (Thomas) Wimberley, TX, Noreen Shaughnessy (Terry) St. Paul, MN: grandchildren, Kelley Curley (Greg)their children Frances, Gregory, Daniel, Garden City, NY, Matthew Dowd (Mary) their children Patrick, Mary Margaret, Katherine, Timothy, Omaha, NE, Meghan Schlattmann (Brian) their children Nora, Elizabeth, Omaha, NE, Jacob Dowd, Washington, DC, Aaron Dowd his child Milo, Washington, DC, Kayla Dowd, Columbus, NE, Mark Dowd, Omaha, NE, Eileen Shaughnessy, Albuquerque, NM, Brendan and Bridget Shaughnessy, St. Paul, MN, Conor, Patrick, Maura and Liam Hall, Wimberley, TX

Also survived by her brothers Joe, Jerry and Leo O'Malley, her sisters Ednamarie Haggerty, Teresa Dewey, Millie Goggins, Loretta Hargaden

Suggested memorials to: St. Bonaventures Parish Foundation, Columbus, NE, Columbus Community Hospital Foundation (skilled cared unit) Columbus, NE. Our family gratefully appreciates the loving care that she received from the caregivers at the skilled care unit at Columbus Community Hospital.