Joan Holly McDowell

Joan Holly McDowell, 77, of Naples, Florida, passed away surrounded by her loved ones on September 7, 2021. Joan, commonly known as Holly, was born in December 1943 in Brooklyn, NY. She was the middle child of three daughters. Her family moved to Long Island where she graduated high school and later married Charles Thomas McDowell in 1963. Charlie was a patrolman for the Nassau County Police Dept. in NY. He frequently visited his cousin, Bill Graham, in Vermont. They enjoyed hunting at Bill’s camp in W. Newbury. Some may recall Bill Graham as one of the first Vermont State Troopers in the Upper Valley; later appointed the Windham County Sheriff serving in that role for 33 yrs. Charlie and Holly met while she worked at the bakery where he eventually asked her to the annual Policeman’s Ball. They became engaged and he wanted to bring her up to Vermont. Their first dinner together in Vermont, after driving 8 long hours north along Rt.5 (there was no Interstate at that time), was at The Happy Hour restaurant in Wells River. They would later frequent The Happy Hour for many years to come. As Vermont became their favorite romantic getaway, fittingly, their song became “Moonlight in Vermont”. Charlie and Holly raised two daughters in the same house that Holly lived in on Long Island. They also built a camp in the early 1970’s in W. Fairlee. The camp became their summer home and permanent home after Charlie’s retirement from the police department where he served for over 30 yrs. Holly enjoyed many activities especially painting and learning watercolor from a local Bradford artist. Holly was very active in Bible study and her grandchildren’s younger years. Holly was widowed in 2001 and never remarried. In her words, “Why would I, I’m already married.” Her independence and resilience were undeniable. She moved to Naples, FL and made many friends who admired her sense of humor. She adopted and loved her dog, Buddy. Her last months were difficult and she more than proved her character and strength. Joan was predeceased by her parents Howard Nash and Veronica Fallon, and her husband Charles T. McDowell. Survivors include her sisters Marianne Basner and Kathy Morda; daughters Karen McDowell and Laura Gladkowski (nee McDowell); her brothers-in-law Kenneth McDowell, Robert Basner, M.D., Gerald Morda and Carmelo Mini; and sisters-in-law, Patricia Mini (nee McDowell) and Barbara McDowell; five grandchildren: Colin, Catherine, Joseph, Matthew and Ashley; and one great-grandchild, Aiden James. Calling Hours will be held Saturday, September 18th at 11:00 A.M. at Hale Funeral Home, 187 Upper Plains Road in Bradford. Following the visitation, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church in Bradford. Burial in Sawyer Cemetery will follow the Mass. Hale Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with Joan’s care. In memory of Joan Holly McDowell the family requests remembrances be made in the form of contributions to the American Diabetes Association or ASPCA. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Joan Holly McDowell, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

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Joan Holly McDowell

December 26, 1943 - September 7, 2021