Barbara Ann Dowd

PHOENIX, AZ – Barbara Ann Dowd, 76, of Henderson, NV and formerly of Portland ME died unexpectedly on January 23, 2019.  She was born in Portland on March 10, 1942, the daughter of Helena Cavanaugh Dowd and William J. Dowd, Jr.  She was educated in Portland and was a 1960 graduate of Deering High School and Westbrook College class of 1963.

After graduating from college, Barbara moved to Boston where she worked at Houghton Mifflin Company and then worked at J. Walter Thompson advertising company in New York City. She lived in Ridgefield and Bridgewater Connecticut where she raised her family.

She is survived by her loving husband Emile Girard of Henderson, NV, her three children, Sheila Hirai and husband Douglas of New Canaan, CT, Leigh Steele of Mumbai, India, and Stephen Harrington and wife Nicole of Mattapoisett MA, and seven grandchildren, James, Lily, and Lexie Hirai, Aiden, Liz, and Owen Harrington, and Madeleine Steele, and five siblings, Janet Bither and husband James of Kennebunk, William Dowd, III and wife Debi of Portland, Jeanne Day of Portland, Ann Hale and husband Ken of Wakefield, MA, and Paul Dowd of Portland. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.  In addition to her parents, Barbara was predeceased by her brother, Gerard.

Barbara had a rich and full life.  She had traveled the world, but most enjoyed family celebrations and events, and rarely missed them.  Barbara’s last week of life was filled with the joy of a nephew’s wedding in Phoenix where she had the chance to celebrate and spend time with her family.

A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held in Portland at a later date.  Interment at Old Calvary Cemetery in South Portland will be Private and at the convenience of the family. 

To offer words of condolence and share memories of Barbara, please go to the obituaries section at www.athutchins.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Boston, MA  02215.   joslin.org/giving/memorial.  

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