Virginia Mary Dowd

She was a graduate of Boston College School of Nursing and received her M.S. degree in Education at the University of Pennsylvania School of Education.

Virginia "Gini" Dowd was a Captain in the Army Reserve Nurse Corps back in Boston. She was put on active duty in October of 1967 to come to San Antonio for a "six-month program" of training Nursing with the US Army at Fort Sam Houston.

When Gini completed this training she decided to stay right here in San Antonio. She received an Honorable Discharge when her hitch in the Army ended in December 1968. She began her long career of teaching nursing students at St. Philip's College, Incarnate Word College, and finally found a home at San Antonio College and worked there till her retirement.

One fateful day in January 1968 she moved into an apartment across the hall from Patrick J. Dowd. Gini said her roommate thought he was an old war hero because he was walking with a cane at the time. All she remembered was that "beautiful Irish face" and the smile on "Himself." Within three months of meeting him she found herself the first corresponding Secretary of the Harp and Shamrock Society of Texas under then President Sean Burke. She also became Executive Director of the Bexar County Hearing Society and got involved with St Peter and St. Joseph Home as well as many other causes.

Virginia Mary Melea and Patrick Joseph Dowd married July 8, 1978. As a couple they continued to build up the Irish and American-Irish community in San Antonio. Gini had the distinction of having served in every officer position over her 4 decades on the Board of the Harp and Shamrock Society as well as receiving the 1992 Irishman of the Year.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Patrick Joseph Dowd; and her sister, Mary M. Chambers. Survivors include sister-in-law, Irene Dowd; nephew, Kevin Patrick Dowd; several nieces and nephews; and her Angel and friends, Irene Aguilar and Patricia Peak.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Monday, September 12, 2016 at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

ROSARY

MONDAY

SEPTEMBER 12, 2016

7:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL

MASS

TUESDAY

SEPTEMBER 13, 2016

9:00 A.M.

ST. MARK THE EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH

1602 THOUSAND OAKS

Interment will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Harp and Shamrock Society Scholarship Fund

PO Box 15306

San Antonio, TX 78212