Dear Dowler Family,

My mother informed me this morning that Mrs. Dowler had passed away due to a long illness.  I am sorry for your loss.  Although I haven't seen her in a few years, I will always remember her kind face.  I can still picture her sitting with my mother at the Woodbridge Valley Pool scrambling to get money for Eddie's snowballs.  That was one way to round up her boys! Below is a poem that comforted me in the past.  I hope this will comfort your family too.

Don't stand by my grave and weep, for I am not there.  
I do not sleep.  
I am a thousand winds that blow.  
I'm the diamond's glint of snow.  
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.  
I am the gentle autumn's rain.  
Don't stand by my grave and cry.  
I am not there.  I did not die.

I always told everyone how lucky I was to have a mother in law like mine.  I truly looked forward to our visits and hers and just spending time with her. I could talk for countless hours and loved every minute of it. I am so sad to have lost such an amazing role model, grandparent to my children and such an important figure in our lives. I will always be grateful for the amazing son she has given to me and has raised to be as caring as she was. She will be missed beyond words but never forgotten as she lives on in my daily life. Her kindness and caring in her son, her look alike grand daughter Kylie who we call Grandma Dowler, and her love of holidays and decorating for every season in Brooke. We love you so much and will miss you forever and will do our best to make you proud!!

I will be keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers.  My condolences to Peter and the boys.  Karen was full of life, and lots of fun.  She will be missed dearly.

To all that attended, I have attached the poem that Karens Cousin had sent and that I had read.

 Your Mother is always with you.... She's the whisper
     of the leaves as you walk down the street; she's the smell of
     bleach  in your freshly laundered socks; she's the cool hand
     on your brow when you're not well. Your Mother lives
     inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop.
     She's the place you came from, your first home; and
     she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your
      first  love
     and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can  separate you.

     Not time, not space... not even death!

thank you,
Love,
Dave

Karen was always there to tie my skates ( just right ) , catch me when I jumped off the dock at Lake Barron and later give me advise about dating. We lived far apart but were very close in our hearts all our lives. I shall miss her but every time i think of a funny story  or a joke I will think of my big sister with great memories of our special relationship. Her loving brother, Gordon

Dear Peter and Family, 
I was so sad to learn from Karen's brother, Gordon, about her death. Karen and I were cousins and we grew up in the same neighborhood in Montreal. The Mock and Masterson families spent a lot of time together, when we were all kids, and I fondly remember summer visits to the Mock Family summer cottage up at Lake Baron, Quebec. I remember your wedding and recently while sorting old slides came across one of Karen. She was a beautiful young girl, always smiling, and I it is unfortunate that we did not know one another as adults. On behalf of all of the Masterson Family I extend our deepest sympathy to you, your sons and all of your family. 
Sincerely, 
Linda Masterson Ward - Plattsburgh, New York

Dear Peter and family,
Although I was not in touch with Karen after graduating from Queen Elizabeth Hospital, I  remember well her sweet smile and the warmth she exuded. I'm sad that she suffered and that she had to leave her wonderful family but feel comfort in knowing that we will all be reunited some day.

50 years may have passed,but our memories of a special nurse and friend will forever last.
Your Queen Elizabeth Hospital classmate always.
Pete, with fond memories of visits and time spent with you and Karen.

Bob and Louise Neville

Dear Peter and family, 
David and I were so sorry to hear of Karen's passing.  Our thoughts are with you all and we are thankful for the visit we had with Karen here in London during Marjorie's 90th.  Love David and Susan Lindsay

I am sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. I am sure there are many great memories you have that can and will bring a smile to your face and heart. May the Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our father who loved us give you comfort and comfort your hearts and make you firm. 2 Thess. 2: 16, 17.

Pete, I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember Karen's smile and genuine laugh.  Just being around her made me happy.  She will be missed.  Please know that at this sad time my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family whom she loved so deeply.  Jeanne Archuleta

I am sorry for your loss.  May God comfort you during this difficult time.

May the Memories of your Loving & Beloved Loved One shine through your sorrow. Please lean on Almighty God, Family & Friends during this difficult time. (John 11:33-44; Lu 23:43 & Ps 37:9-11,29)

Karen and I were best friends and 3rd cousins all of our lives. We spent many days and hours together at Lake Barron, Quebec as well as in our respective family homes in Montreal. There was a real bond between us that has carried us through the years knowing that the other person was always there when you needed a good 'gab'. Her love of life, her belly laugh and her ability to visit can never be surpassed or forgotten. She adored all of her 'boys' and 'Pete' meant everything to her. She always commented on how lucky we were to have married two of the greatest guys around. Our mothers were best pals and cousins, and I was lucky to have Karen as a cousin and somehow a 'sister' at heart. I will miss our 3 hour conversations from Canada to Baltimore.Martin and I wanted to come for the service but we have been studying the weather for the east coast and have decided that after 3 weeks of driving in Florida and Martin just recovering from a touch of pneumonia that it would not be wise at our ages to attempt the drive. Hopefully, we will visit Pete in nicer weather. Our love and thoughts will be with the boys, all five, through the next few days of saying goodbye to a wonderful and loving person.

Martin & Dorothy Foley

Jeff and I will miss Karen so much. It is hard to find such kind and loving friends. We enjoyed many walks on the boardwalk in Ocean City, talking all the while about friends and family and, of course, dogs.
    We will think of her always with happy memories.
                                                   Jeff and Marsha Mumford

OBITUARY

Karen E. Dowler

January 3, 1943 – March 22, 2014

Sterling-Ashton-Schwab-Witzke Funeral Home of Catonsville, Inc.

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