Obituary: Mac Dowell, Marilyn Jo (O’Donnell)
Age 81
Passed Away-May 3, 2012
She was born January 4, 1931, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
She graduated from Holy Names Academy in Spokane in 1948.
She attended Portland State University.
She married James Gilbreth and they had four children.
James died in 1967.
She worked at Lakeland Village and Rockwood Clinic.
She was a medical secretary in the X-Ray department at Holy Family Hospital at the time it opened.
She worked in the advertising and public relations field in Spokane and retired from the Public Relations Dept.
of Washington Water Power Co. (Avista).
She directed a youth choir and was accompanist in Portland and was organist at St. Mary’s Parish in Spokane Valley.
She was an active member of Assumption BVM Parish for more than forty years and served two terms on the parish council.
She was a member of St. Anne’s and St. Dominic’s Guilds, and was a long-time member of the choir.
She was an avid crafter and quilter and was a member of Washington State Quilters.
She gifted family and friends with handmade quilts and linens.
She was a member of a small quilt group, which was her delight.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 20 years, Sherman MacDowell, a long-time Spokane bank officer.
She is survived by two sons, Richard Gilbreth (Dorothy King) of Boise, and Steve Gilbreth of Seattle; two daughters Lyn (Joe) Ross and Holly (Bob) Stevens of Spokane; a stepdaughter, Donna MacDowell, and her niece, JoAnn O’Donnell of El Cajon, Cal.
She enjoyed her eleven grandchildren, with whom she spend time going to sporting and musical events and sharing her love of quilting and reading.
They are Brent and Mitch Gilbreth; Nicole (Andy) Cheroke, Dayna Ross (Matt Hammett), Heather Swatman (Ryan Brophy); Danielle Stevens; Natalee (Nick) Reid, Aaron, Ryan , Matthew, and Kimberly Gilbreth.
She also is survived by six great-grandchildren, Marisa Brophy, Abbigail H, Avah and Ashlyn Cheroke, Riley Gilbreth and Braylie Gilbreth.
A huge thank you to Hospice of Spokane and the wonderful home care provided by Kathy, Connie, Peggy and LouAnn.
Thank you to mom’s family physician, Dr. Tammy Ellingsen and her pulmonary physician, Dr. Don Howard.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Spokane, PO Box 2215 Spokane, WA 99210 or may be made to Miryam’s House, 1805 W. 9th Ave, Spokane, WA 99204.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Assumption BVM Catholic Church, 3624 W. Indian Trail Rd.
Please visit Marilyn’s online tribute and leave a condolence at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to: