Dorothy (Carr) Dowell

Dorothy Carr Dowell died on December 6, 2019 at home, with her family. She was 90 years old and lived most of her life in Champaign. Dorothy was born to Elsie Hanshaw Carr and Talmage Carr in Champaign on May 22, 1929. She married Jesse M. Dowell, Jr on May 6, 1951. 

She is survived by her husband, Jesse Dowell, Jr.; a son, Murray (Ljubica) Dowell and a daughter, Ellen Dowell (Dr. Jon) Hendrickson; 4 grandchildren, Jennifer Schmidt, Kelly (Mike) Schmidt Kenefick, Nathan Dowell, Jesse Dowell III; 2 step-grandchildren, Jeff (Allison) Hendrickson and Mark (Jen) Hendrickson; and 1 great granddaughter, Hannah Kenefick. 

Dorothy attended Champaign High School and the University of Illinois. She was Vice-President of her senior class and won the 50 yard dash on the girl's track team. She was involved in several Champaign-Urbana groups including: C-U Junior League, Children's Home and Aid Society, YMCA board member and 1st United Methodist Church of Champaign. 

She worked for Berger and Kelly Architecture Firm. Dorothy also worked at the University of Illinois architecture department library and in the agriculture engineering department. She enjoyed developing and managing rental properties, especially campus properties, in Illinois, Arizona and Florida. Dorothy had many interests including cooking, sports, sewing, flowers, movies, animals, fashion, education, music, art, architecture, bridge and dancing. She also enjoyed many trips with her family to most of the United States, England, Canada and Mexico. 

The family would like to thank Carle Hospice, especially caregiver, Andrea, nurses, Brittany and Shelby and chaplain, Andrea B, for the loving care that they provided to Dorothy. 

There will be a visitation on Tuesday, Dec. 17, from 1-2 pm at First United Methodist Church, 210 W. Church, Champaign. The funeral service will begin at 2pm at the church. Burial will immediately follow at Riverside Cemetery, Mahomet. Owens Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

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