Judy McDowell

Judy McDowell



Judy McDowell, a long-time resident of Albuquerque, recently passed away in Olympia, Washington, where her daughter lived.

Judy was born on January 10, 1930, in Santo Domingo to Carolyn McAfee and Barney Morgan. After spending her childhood in the Dominican Republic, Judy went to Park College, majoring in music. At Park, she met her future husband, David McDowell, and moved with him to the University of Michigan for graduate studies. After her children were born, Judy and David spent much of their married life overseas, raising their family in Cairo, Egypt; Tripoli, Libya; Mogadishu, Somalia; and Tehran, Iran with brief intervals back in the United States. Judy was passionate about children's development and taught preschool. She was also devoted to helping others adjust to life overseas.

Following retirement, Judy and David moved to Albuquerque where she remained active in the community. She enjoyed working at the Unitarian Church food bank, making cinnamon rolls for the Growers Market, and meeting up with her close circle of friends to practice Spanish, read books, enjoy cultural events and share delicious meals. Judy loved the beauty of the Southwest, finding joy in the shifting hues of the sun reflected off the Sandia mountains. Her deep compassion for others will live on in all whose lives she touched. Judy is preceded in death by her husband, David, sister, Mary Lou Ryan, and brother, Stanley Morgan. Judy is survived by her daughter Laura and son Bob.