Elaine Elizabeth McDowell

It is with heavy hearts the family shares news of the passing of Elaine Elizabeth Kulpak McDowell of Cape Coral, Florida who died peacefully on Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at the age of 88.

Elaine endured several years of Lewy Body Dementia, but remained "pleasantly confused" and a sweetheart, until she had enough. Our family matriarch was a saint, surviving and moving on through many challenges in life, so I know Mom's up with the angels. Her love of cooking and basset hounds (or truthfully all animals) lives on in the many lives she touched and influenced.

She was born August 20, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois and was the beautiful daughter to Emily (Weiss) and Anthony Kulpak. Elaine was loved by her family-- pre-deceased by her parents; her husband, John, and daughter, Laury; and survived by daughter, Lisa, son-in-law, Jim and son, AJ; her friends from Perseco, her longest term job; and her many "dog friends" accumulated over years of raising and breeding bassets, dog shows (Basset Hound Nationals were our annual vacation for many years), obedience trials, tracking, etc.

Mom loved her homes in Oak Brook, IL, until Dad's passing and her moving to Cape Coral, FL. She enjoyed several years of living down the street from her beloved daughter Lisa and her family until her disease started taking its toll. She moved to Gulf Coast Village in 2021, transitioning to Assisted Living at Gulf Coast Village for a year before needing skilled nursing the last couple years.

Although we were losing her over the last several years, the end is still a shock. Please know your daughter and family love you bunches and miss you here on earth, but know you're up in heaven watching over us.

In lieu of flowers, the family instead suggests a memorial contribution in her honor be made to a local animal shelter or to one of her favorite organizations, the Basset Hound Club of America, by visiting their website at:- www.basset-bhca.org

A Memorial Service for Elaine will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 13, 2025 at her place of final rest located within Coral Ridge Cemetery, 950 Chiquita Boulevard S, Cape Coral, FL 33991, (239) 283-0540. All are welcome to attend.

To share a story or photo, leave a tribute or to offer condolences to the family at this difficult time, please visit Elaine's memorial webpage at:- https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/cape-coral-fl/elaine-mcdowell-12142597 and sign her guestbook.