Claire Marek O’Dowd

Claire Marek O'Dowd was received into the presence of her Savior on January 6th, 2021. She was born in Waco, Texas, to John and Marcita Marek. The Marek Family moved to Albuquerque in 1959 and Claire graduated from Albuquerque High School.

In 1961, she was one of five national winners of an essay contest sponsored by President John F. Kennedy's Committee on Employment of the Physically Handicapped, and traveled to Washington DC where her award was presented to her by then Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. She attended the University of New Mexico, graduating from the Honors Program in 1965. The following year, she received her Master's degree from the Fletcher School for Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

Upon returning to Albuquerque, she married Gary O'Dowd. She worked in the NM State Planning Office before pursuing the higher calling of raising her three sons. Her later professional life found her in the campaign office of Senator Jeff Bingaman and then as Assistant to the Dean of the College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico.

Claire was a lifelong tennis player, an avid gardener, and a lover of the music and dramatic performances at UNM's Popejoy Hall. She delighted in time spent with her family backpacking, cross-country skiing, traveling, and could often be heard boasting about the accomplishments of her 13 grandchildren.

Claire was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, John and Thomas Marek. She is survived by her husband of more than 53 years and best friend, Gary O'Dowd; her sons, Brendon (Joan), Ryan (Amy), and Devin (Andrea); along with 8 grandsons, 5 granddaughters, and a great granddaughter.

Her family cannot overstate how much she was loved and will be missed. They wish to thank the MD Anderson Cancer Center, the UNM Cancer Center, and Hospice of NM for their loving care. A memorial service will be held via Zoom on a date still TBD, and a link can be received by emailing claireodowdmemorial@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to organizations that support causes closest to Claire's heart: the DAV https://www.dav.org, the St. Vincent de Paul Society https://www.svdpnm.com,and Joy Junction https://www.joyjunction.org .


FRENCH – Wyoming
7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE
505.823.9400