Elena Patrice Dowling

Elena Patrice Dowling, 88, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2025, in Lynchburg, VA. She was born on October 7, 1937, in Newton, MA, to Edward P. Dowling and Frances (Mullens) Dowling.

She was a beloved sister to Edward and Barry and sister-in-law to Rita, Verna, and Rhonda, and was a favorite aunt (rhymes with font!) to fourteen nephews and nieces, Timothy, Michael, Laurie, Kevin, Lynn, Michelle, Cynthia, Paula, James, Janet, Beth, Brendon, Edward, and Frances, and to many grand nephews and nieces. All fondly remember her as the fun aunt who got on the floor and played with them when they were little, who sent a birthday card every year, who was formidable at jigsaw puzzles and Yahtzee, and who was an avid Boston-sports fan. Her education and career were in Framingham, MA, where she was a standout teacher at Juniper Hill Elementary School; among her many memorable innovations was the painting of the 50 states on the school playground.

She was incredible at arts & crafts and always engaged children, young and old, in creative activities-latch hook rugs in the '60s, macramé and string art in the '70s, and new projects each decade into the 21st century. She was an avid quilter and seamstress who made countless outfits for children in Central America. She had a cottage in Cape Cod that was a favorite summer destination for the extended family, and a world-class collection of nativities (crèches), from which she displayed a select fraction each Christmas. Above all, she was devoted to her faith and to her family and friends, who celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, the family asks memorial contributions be made to Saint Thomas More Catholic Church or the Alzheimer’s association.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family.