Muriel Jo McDowell

Muriel Jo McDowell died peacefully on February 5 in Juneau AK after a long illness.

Jo was born to Dan and Pegeen Herman in Boise, Idaho December 6 of 1942, the second of three children. She graduated high school in Spokane WA and attended WSU for a year before moving north with the family to Alaska. Jo enrolled at University of Alaska Fairbanks where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Sociology and met future husband Eric McDowell.

Jo and Eric married in 1964 and welcomed sons Mark in 1965 and Chris in 1967. The family moved to Juneau and raised the boys alongside their Lange cousins. Jo and Eric sang with the St Paul Singers, a close knit 40-member folk singing group directed by Jo's dear friend Dixie Belcher. These were wonderful, fulfilling years that produced lifelong friendships for everyone in the family. Although Jo and Eric's marriage ended in 1986, the two remained cordial and shared mutual friends and family life with Chris and Lisa and the grandchildren.

Jo had a full professional career with Alaska Department of Corrections where she earned a reputation as a fair and compassionate probation officer and served on the State Parole Board. After retiring in 1998 Jo split her time between Bellingham WA, Anchorage and Juneau for a number of years. Jo fixed up and sold two cottage houses during her time in Bellingham. She loved that process and had a great eye for tasteful interior design and landscaping.

Jo was a voracious reader her entire life, which sparked her desire to see the world's interesting places. Ironically she had a keen fear of getting lost, but managed to overcome it and visit England and Scotland, Australia, Egypt, Turkey, Peru and the Galapagos Islands.

Jo always considered Juneau her home and returned for good in 2018. She bought a home just down the block from Chris and Lisa and spent her time enjoying a quiet life of family events with the grandchildren and time with friends. Jo moved to a nearby assisted living facility in 2023 and lived comfortably there until her passing.

Jo was a beloved daughter, sister, auntie and cousin, and a deeply loved wife, mother and grandmother. She led a long, interesting life full of friends and family and more than a little adventure. She will be dearly missed by her family and many friends.

Jo is survived by son Chris (Lisa) McDowell and five grandchildren; Rowan, Lauren, Anna (Jason) Cordova, Amanda Jo and Emma. She is survived by brother Dan Herman, sister Gail Whitehead, former husband Ron Cothren and by an impressive flock of cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by son Mark and former husband Eric McDowell.

A memorial service will be held this Saturday March 14 at 2 PM, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Juneau.