Ellen Marie Dowd

Dowd, Ellen Marie (Nee McGinley) Age 76, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, December 16, 2012, at AngelsGrace Hospice in Oconomowoc, WI. Ellen was born in Milwaukee on September 5, 1936 and was raised in Antigo, WI. She graduated from Antigo High School in 1954 and completed her nursing degree from St. Luke's School of Nursing in Racine in 1958. Shortly thereafter, she met and married James F. Dowd and settled in Oconomowoc to start and raise their family. Ellen was preceded in death by her father, Bernard McGinley and mother, Alberta Renish McGinley and grandson Thomas D'Arcangelo. She is survived by her two siblings, brother, Dennis (Judy) McGinley of De Pere, WI and sister, Dr. Carole (Dr. Robert) Edland of La Crosse, WI. Ellen's life centered around her nine children, Mary Dowd Demas (Gary) of Niles, IL; Catherine (Aaron) Wright of Waukesha, WI; Michael (Wendy) Dowd of Goshen, KY; Patrick (Susan) Dowd of Waukesha, WI; Margaret Dowd (John Jankowski) of Erin, WI; Anne (Scott) Chard of Waukesha, WI; Thomas (Tonya) Dowd of Laguna Niguel, CA; Jane Osborne of Pewaukee, WI; and John (Greta) Dowd of Wauwatosa, WI. Ellen is further survived by fifteen grandchildren, four great - grandchildren, and many other family and friends. Funeral services for Ellen will be held on Saturday, December 22, 2012, at St. Charles Catholic Church, 313 Circle Drive, in Hartland at 1:00 PM. Visitation for family and friends will take place from 11:00 AM until the time of service. A burial ceremony will follow with a final resting place in St. Charles Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to AngelsGrace Hospice, Lake Area Free Clinic, or St. Charles Catholic Church. Ellen's family would like to thank the many earthly "angels" in her life that watched over and cared for her; specifically, Dr. David Faust and his staff, Marsha Degrothy, Sandy Sharnick, Sarah Ingle, Mary Hellman, and to the very compassionate staff at the Wilkinson Woods and AngelsGrace Hospice. Ellen was a devoted Catholic and lived her faith throughout her life. She had a humble nature, a courageous spirit, and a generous heart. Ellen will be forever missed and her love will live on in the hearts of those who dearly loved her. "It's not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving." ~Mother Teresa Yonke and Son Funeral Home 205 Prospect Ave. Pewaukee 262-691-1900