Helen C. Mcdowell

With deep love and gratitude for a life well-lived, we say “goodbye until heaven” to our mother and grandmother, Helen C. McDowell, who passed away on December 4, 2025, at the age of 82. 

Helen was preceded in death earlier this year by her beloved husband of nearly 60 years, Reverend Joseph Lee McDowell. While we were devastated to lose both of them in the same year, we take comfort in knowing that they were reunited quickly in heaven. 

Helen is survived by her five daughters: Helen Virginia “Ginny” Kinsey and her husband Robby, Elisabeth “Lisa” McDowell and her fiancé Bill, Catherine “Katie” Huntingdon and her husband Bryan, Suzanne “Susie” Hynes and her husband Sean, and Cynthia “Chrissy” McDowell. 

She was a proud grandmother, “Mema,” to ten grandchildren: Joyce Helen, Karen, Charles Joseph “CJ,” Zachary “Miles,” Hannah, Ethaniel, Willow, Kassandra, Emma, and Clara. 

Helen was a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned her B.A. in Secondary Education–English, and of St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota, where she completed her M.A. in Management. 

A lifelong educator, she began her career in 1972 as a high school librarian and elementary teacher in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Following her husband’s vocation as an Episcopal priest, their journey took the family to parishes in Maryland, Minnesota, and Florida. During her years in Minnesota, she served St. Mary’s University of Winona as Assistant Director of Development and Research Coordinator for Institutional Advancement from 1984 to 1990. In Florida, she continued her dedication to education as a parent educator for Monroe County Schools (1992–1995), a school librarian at St. Mark’s Academy in Cocoa (1995–1997), and later as an academic counselor for Brevard County Schools’ Adult Education Program (1998–2010). Beyond her professional work, Helen gave her time generously as a volunteer with Links of Hope, Inc., supporting her husband’s ministry and extending her care to the wider community. 

Helen was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who was always there for her large family. She delighted in the beauty of fall leaves, sparkling fresh-fallen snow, and Vienna waltzes. She enjoyed historical fiction and novels, and she embraced the latest technology and gadgets with enthusiasm. She was the emotional “hub” of the family- always answering daily calls, texts, and emails from her children and grandchildren. She also served as the family’s “editor-in-chief,” reviewing countless school papers, essays, reports, and résumés for grammar and content. (She would most likely find corrections to this obituary!). 

Mom, you were the best- always there for us when we needed you. You were so proud of the family that you and Dad created, and you made each of us feel loved, special, and important. Losing you hurts so much, but the love you sowed into our hearts will continue to bloom and grow in our lives. We will miss you and Dad every single day. 

Details regarding a celebration of Helen’s life will be shared with family and friends at a future date.