Mary Ellen Dowdle (nee Maren, formerly Gallagher), 95, was born on June 22, 1929 in Vincennes, IN, to the late Christopher and Anne Maren and passed away peacefully on July 21, 2024 in Downers Grove, IL.

Born at the start of the great depression, Mary Ellen moved to Chicago in 1943. At age 12, Mary Ellen learned to knit and sew so she could make gloves and hats to be sent to soldiers overseas. At 15, she worked in the art department at Marshall Fields Chicago and designed window displays there for many years. A talented artist, Mary Ellen entered and won numerous art contests, including one featuring her art in a Red Cross advertisement. She was proud to be a graduate of Providence High School in Chicago and a devout Catholic.

She met her first husband, James Gallagher, in 1948 and they raised their five children together in Forest Park, IL until his death in 1978. In her years as a homemaker, Mary Ellen was known for keeping the cookie jar full of her homemade treats and her door open to neighbors and her children’s friends while still finding time to relish in nights out with the “Club Girls,” dips in the backyard swimming pool, and travels across the country and around the globe.

Blessed with love a second time, Mary Ellen married David Dowdle in 1985 and they shared the remainder of their lives together in Westchester, IL; Ft Myers, FL; and LaGrange Park, IL. They traveled, went to the theater, volunteered, and made new friends. In her later years, she never stopped knitting and crafting for local charities and family, and she found peace in prayer.

Mary Ellen loved the ocean, show tunes, a good home cooked meal, a “really great” party and, above all else, her family.

Mary Ellen was the cherished wife of the late David R Dowdle; preceded in death by her loving husband James J Gallagher Jr. Devoted mother of J. Patrick (Joey) Gallagher, Kevin (Kaylee) Gallagher, Brian (Sheri) Gallagher, Timothy (Kate O’Malley) Gallagher and Kathleen (Tim) Flannery; step-mother of Laura Dowdle (Peter Huebner), Mary Kane, late Rev. David P. Dowdle, Joan (John) Prescott, Mark (Michele) Dowdle, Daniel (Cathy) Dowdle,  Patrick (Angela) Dowdle, Ruth (Scott) Deubel, Martin (Roseanna) Dowdle, Robert (late Bridget) Dowdle, Anne (Greg Paul) Dowdle, and Matthew (Alma) Dowdle; proud grandmother and great-grandmother to 18 and step-grandmother and great-grandmother to many more; sister of the late Elizabeth Ann Smith, late Thomas Maren, late Katherine Leninger; dear aunt and friend to many.

Visiting hour, 10am, until time of Memorial Mass, 11am, on Saturday, August 17th, at the Alexine Chapel, 1515 Ogden Avenue, LaGrange Park.

In celebration of Mary Ellen’s life, the family asks that guests wear cheerful summer colors.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made in Mary Ellen’s honor to

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago – Senior Care  https://www.catholiccharities.net/senior-care/