Madge Baker Dowe

Madge Drummond Baker Dowe passed away peacefully on June 15th, 2025 at Bay Lake Assisted Living after a short illness. “Margie” was born in Norfolk, Virginia to Madge Cook Baker and Robert Lindsay Baker on April 12th, 1933, grew up in Norfolk County and graduated from Maury High School, Norfolk, VA. She attended Norfolk Highlands Elementary and Portlock High School as well. She spent time at her grandparent’s cottage on the Chesapeake Bay in Ocean View, keeping up with her four brothers. Margie graduated from Mary Washington in 1954 with a B.S. in Home Economics and proceeded to teach home economics and chemistry at Deep Creek High School and Little Creek Elementary.

Margie married Carl Barnard Dowe in 1958 at the Oaklette Methodist Church on Indian River Road where they started dating. He predeceased her in 1999. She was also predeceased by parents Robert and Madge Baker, brothers Robert Lindsay Baker, Jr., Willard Ransom Baker and wife Paula, William Thompson Baker, IV and wife Barbara, David Peery Baker and wife Kathleen and two cousins William Hurd and Charles Hurd Hopkins.

Moving to Chesopeian Colony, Carl and Margie were early members of the Foundry Methodist Church. Margie was a very active member of the United Methodist women for 50 years in all the areas she lived, Virginia Beach, Severna Park, MD, Angola, IN and Harrison, AR. She became involved in the Chesopeian Garden Club and was its president in 1965-66 and active in Junior Women’s Club. She took up golf at the Cavalier Golf Club “because she wanted to understand why Carl was so interested” and pursued a lifelong love of bridge while enjoying gardening and continuous social activities. In the summer of 1968, Margie took off for a month in her new station wagon with her mother and two young children to see the US. Driving to Dayton, OH and Boise, ID to see brothers and exploring many scenic areas and parks along the way, the family rode from Virginia to Portland, OR, down the coast to Disneyland then back through the Grand Canyon and along I-10. She added 9000 miles and a new set of tires to that vehicle along with good memories for her children.

As Carl neared and entered retirement in Harrison, AR and the kids went off to college, Margie travelled more frequently with him on business trips which were matched with visits with friends. There were many trips involving golf, some cruises and a trip to Europe. There seemed to usually be 2-3 couples that were ready for an adventure and fun traveling to destinations along the East Coast and in Arkansas.

While retirement may not be a good term to describe Margie’s later life, she and Carl moved back to Sandbridge, Virginia Beach in 1994 where she cared for him after a stroke until his death and continued to make many dear friends. She took on many roles for Sandbridge Community Chapel and continued her bridge and golf interests. Margie enjoyed her freedom to entertain and travel with friends and family and continued to stay in touch with friends across the country.

Survivors include her daughter Jennifer Dowe Lynch of Essex, VT and son Charles Lindsay Dowe (Trish) of Clarksville, AR, two grandsons with families including great-grandchildren in Lamar, AR, Cody Alexander (Christy) with son Jordan and Cory Taylor (Jordyn) with daughters Aria and Harper. Additionally, first cousin Malcolm Lee Cannon of Virginia Beach and his daughter Ann (Steve) Mattfeld and son Lee Cannon (Anita) with their families, nephew William Thompson Baker, V and niece Francine Madge Baker with her daughter and granddaughter Elizabeth Charlotte Baker and Alyssa and family.

The family extends sincere thanks to the Sandbridge Rescue Squad as well as the staff at Bay Lake Assisted Living for their excellent care of Margie as she had to slow down in her last years and months. Her friends continued to provide welcome strong friendships and support.

Inn lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the following organizations

Sandbridge Community Chapel https://sandbridgeumc.org/

Sandbridge Rescue Squad

https://www.sandbridgerescuesquad.com/support

A celebration of life will be held at Sandbridge Community Chapel on Wednesday June 25, 2025 at 11am with reception to follow at the SCC fellowship hall.

Sandbridge Community Chapel United Methodist Church

3041 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456