Helen I. Dowden

Helen Dowden, age 99, passed away on Friday, January 16, 2026 at St. Vincent’s Hospital Hospice Care in Indianapolis, Indiana. She lived a long and wonderful life and she is greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Helen was a long time resident of Carmel, Indiana for 60 years! She was born April 25, 1926 in Thief River Falls, MN where she resided for 17 years before relocating in 1943 to Indianapolis, IN in search of a job during the hardship time of WWII. She found a job at P.R. Mallory & Co. assembling electrical components for the military. In 1946, she met the love of her life, Paul Dowden, at this workplace and they got married in 1948. She lived in Indianapolis for 22 years before moving to Carmel and building a beautiful home with her husband for a growing young family. Helen and Paul were both hard workers and diligently made their dreams come true! They were quite the pair!

Helen worked several other places while raising their family. She made time to take career classes at J. Everett Light Career Center to become a Commercial Insurance Rater. She worked for Amerisure Insurance for many years and retired from there in 1992. Outside of work, she had a playful personality engaging in card games of all kinds, bowling, croquet, badminton, gardening (she definitely loved her flowers), taking walks, observing wildlife, and traveling. She absolutely loved her Tuesday bowling league where many members became good friends who she held so dear. Of course, she always loved playing with all of the grandchildren and great grandchildren as well; that was definitely a highlight for her!

Helen was one of a kind! She was caring, thoughtful, compassionate, generous, loyal, witty, wise, patient, and always offered a helping hand when needed. She touched many hearts with her joyful & positive spirit and her beautiful & cheery smile. She was admired by many family members and friends for the strong woman she was in character. Her love was constant and unconditional and her presence will be deeply missed but forever cherished. Please feel free to share a fond memory or photo with the family!

Helen is survived by her devoted children: Gary (& Kathy) Dowden of Michigan, Sandra (& Wilson) Smith of Illinois, and Richard Dowden of Indiana, seven Grandchildren, seven Great-Grandchildren, one Grand & four Great-Granddogs, and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents (Andrew & Mabel (Olsen) Breiland), three brothers (Clarence, Tilmer, Kenneth), two sisters (Thelma, Evelyn), and the love of her life (Paul Dowden) of almost 72 years.

In lieu of flowers, the family would love if you would make a donation in her memory to:

Humane Society for Hamilton County

10501 Hague Road

Fishers, IN 46038

Helen loved animals and had fond memories of dogs and cats she had in childhood and while raising a family. She always loved the many rescued & other dogs our families have had. A “ray of sunshine will shine” from her heart for another animal saved!

Visitation will begin Friday, February 27th between 12:00-1:00 PM with funeral services following in the Leppert Mortuary-Smith Carmel Chapel located at: 900 N. Rangeline Road, Carmel, Indiana 46032. Please Note: The burial will be held at the Scotland Cemetery, located just off of I-69 in the town of Scotland (just North of Crane Naval Center) and 106 miles southwest (approximately 2 hours) from Carmel. Helen will join Paul and some of his family members in his hometown cemetery.