Yvonne McDowell

Yvonne McDowell, age 91, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on June 23, 2021. Born in Akron, OH on December 3, 1929 to the late Raymond and Josephine Marthey, Yvonne married Edward J. McDowell, who preceded her in death, in August 1953. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Joseph Marthey.

Yvonne is survived by her sister Bernadette Dierker, loving children, Sharon (Brian) Walsh, Mary Lou (John) Ballard, Thomas (Nancy) McDowell, Patrick (Theresa) McDowell, and Annette (Joseph) Ruby as well as her grandchildren, Christina, Emily, Ruth, Kettie, Gillian, Keara, Alex, Mallory, Jacqueline, and Kelsey and great-grandchildren, Oliver, Abigail, Remi, and Christine.

Yvonne grew up in Firestone Park, graduated from St. Mary High School in 1947, and went on to attend Hammel Actual Business College. She sang as a coloratura soprano with the Goodyear Operetta Society at the Goodyear Theater, where her performances were broadcasted by WADC in the 40s and 50s. After raising her five children, Yvonne returned to school and became a licensed practical nurse, eventually retiring after working for many years with Kaiser Permanente.

Throughout her life, Yvonne took any opportunity to take part in her favorite activities, volunteering and spending time with her family. She was an active member of St. Vincent Catholic Church and participated in the Altar Society and St. Vincent dePaul Auxiliary. She volunteered at the Akron Canton food bank, taught music and art at St. Vincent Elementary School, and volunteered with Summa Hospice for more than 10 years. Every year, Yvonne looked forward to vacationing at the beach in North Carolina with her children and grandchildren. She was an enthusiastic fan of Lebron James and the Cavaliers. Yvonne will be remembered for her kindness, curiosity, her strong belief in God and her faith in the power of prayer.

Yvonne's family extends warm gratitude for the compassion shown by the caregivers and staff at Rockynol's Memory Care Unit and Summa Hospice.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 27, 2021 from 2 to 4 P.M. at the Hummel Funeral Home, 500 E. Exchange Street, Akron. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 A.M. on Monday, June 28, 2021 at St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church, 164 W Market Street, Akron. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, 100 E. Waterloo, Akron.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 164 W. Market Street, Akron, Ohio 44303 or Summa Hospice, 1077 Gorge Blvd, Akron, Ohio, 44310.