Patricia E. Dowell

Date of Death: March 30, 2012

Patricia Elizabeth Carter Dowell, 45, died Friday, March 30, 2012, at her home in West Lafayette.
Trish was born on December 20, 1966, in South Bend to Richard Altice Carter, Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy, and Joanne Elizabeth Cullar Carter, a school teacher. Along with her older brothers Richard S. and Steven S. Carter, Trish was raised in North Liberty by their mother Joanne after their father passed away when Trish was 18 months old. Trish was very close with her grandparents, Fred and Ruth Cullar of North Liberty, and Professor A.S. and Ethel Carter of West Lafayette.
Trish attended John Glenn High School, where she was a cheerleader and Homecoming Queen. After graduating high school in 1985, Trish attended Purdue University, where she received a degree in Communications in 1989. At Purdue, Trish was a member of Chi Omega sorority, and was also active with the Purdue Visitor Information Center.
Trish met her husband, Anthony Edward Dowell, while at Purdue. Trish and Tony were married in North Liberty on October 7, 1989. After they were married, Trish and Tony moved to Los Angeles, where Trish was employed by Gallo Wine, and later by Roncelli Plastics, as a sales representative. Trish and Tony moved to South Bend in 1991, where Trish was employed by May Company as a retail store department manager. Trish and Tony?s first child, Alexa Elizabeth, was born in South Bend on December 6, 1992.
After the birth of their second daughter Molly Christine in South Bend on June 22, 1994, Trish and Tony moved to Mundelein, Illinois, and then to Gurnee, Illinois in 1997. After moving to the Chicago suburbs, Trish left full time employment to devote all of her time and energy to raising her kids, and community volunteer activities. Trish and Tony?s third daughter, Hannah Ruth, was born on December 2, 1996, and their son Jacob Anthony, was born on December 4, 1998.
Trish and Tony moved to West Lafayette in 2002, where Trish was active in several women?s service organizations and served as the office manager for Tony?s law practice. Trish was also served in many roles at each of her children?s schools, Burnett Creek Elementary, Battle Ground Middle School and Harrison High School. Trish was the cheerleading coach at Battle Ground Middle School from 2006 to 2010. Trish was also active with the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the Riley Children?s Foundation and served on the board for the Smith Family BReaK Thru Fund to raise money to fight Niemann-Pick Type C disease.
Trish had many passions, but highest on the list were travel and fashion. In April 2011, she traveled with her best friend Dee Carmichael to London to attend the Royal Wedding festivities, a dream come true for Trish and Dee who had been Princess Diana fans since the last royal wedding. On May 2, 2011, Trish fulfilled another dream, and closed on the purchase of a women?s clothing boutique, Collette, in West Lafayette.
On May 20, 2011, Trish was diagnosed with colon cancer. Trish chronicled her ten month battle with this terrible disease online at www.caringbridge.org/visit/trishdowell. Trish?s favorite quote very much captures Trish?s spirit and love of life:
“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.”–Audrey Hepburn
Trish is survived by her loving husband Anthony Edward Dowell, her children Alexa Elizabeth, 19, Molly Christine, 17, Hannah Ruth, 15, and Jacob Anthony, 13, her mother Joanne Elizabeth Cullar Carter and her brothers Richard S. and Steven S. Carter.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. at Soller-Baker Lafayette chapel. Services on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel. Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery West Lafayette .
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Patricia Elizabeth Dowell to the Smith Family BreaK Thru Fund, www.breakthrufun

Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc.

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Tony and Family,

I&m still doing home physical therapy and check the obituaries regularly since a lot of my former patients are elderly. I saw Trish&s picture and thought ""I know that woman."" My heart sank into my gut when I realized who she was and read the obituary. I&m so sorry for you and your families loss, Tony.
I work with so many people who die shortly afterwards (not due to me, I hope) and if there&s one think I&ve come to realize is that no one ever really dies. The color of the paint in the house, the lessons passed down to the kids, the perrenials planted in the yard. All of this and more is forever changed by one person&s existence. People live on in the eyes of their family and friends and then through their family and friends, so on and so on into perpetuity. One day you&ll probably be playing with a grandchild who looks and/or acts spot-on like the grandmother s/he never met and then it&s so obvious and gratifying to watch.
Don&t mean to get philosophical on you. Just wanted to let you know an old frat-buddy is keeping you and your kids in his prayers and hoping you are able to keep the best memories of your wife with you always.
Give me a call any time if there&s anything I can do for you.

Sincerely,

Harry
(574)292-1175
htgrace@aol.com

With deepest sympathy.

Dowell Family,

Our prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. My son, Jacob just lost his grandfather 2 weeks ago. His grandfather was more like a dad to Jacob and at his service this poem was recited. I hope it will bring some comfort to you as it still does for us today.

Miss Me-But Let Me Go

WhenI come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?
Miss me a little...but not too long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared .
Miss me ...but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take
And each must go alone.
It&s all part of the Master&s plan,
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart,
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Miss me ...but let me go.

With our deepest sympathy,
Maria Blum

Tony and family,

We truly wish we could be there to celebrate Trish&s life. Please know that all of our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families during this week, and always. Trish was always a bright spot in our home, even during the trial. Each of our children have shared different stories with us on how each of your touched their lives and what they learned from you. (Sorry Jake that you never had the opportunity to live in Idaho. Everyone is always welcome anytime.)

I pray that the sun will shine tomorrow on all of you as your remember Trish and her radiant smile and ever positive attitude.

Again, sorry that we could not be there in person. We are certainly there in spirit and with all the love we can offer.

Ted and Marsha

To the Dowell Family,

I do not mean to intrude on your privacy. I read the obituary today in the paper for Trish. I did not know Trish or her family, however, it touched my heart and I felt led to write you a note. Know that my heart is heavy for your family and I will be praying for God&s grace, comfort and strength for your family in the days and months ahead.

Sincerely,

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Thank you so much for letting me be part of Trish&s life. I feel so blessed and so very honored to have known her and her beautiful family. Love you all! Nancy S.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.