Susan Dowds

Born July 30, 1955 – Passed away September 12, 2025

Susan Dowds, a longtime resident of Marblehead, MA, passed away peacefully on Friday, surrounded by family, after a courageous two-year battle with cancer.

Born in the Bronx, NY, Susan was the daughter of Gladys Lopez and Joseph Medina and the eldest of four children. In 1962, her family moved to Centereach, Long Island, where she attended Newfield High School before continuing her education at the University of Pennsylvania. She earned her degree in dental hygiene in 1975.

After returning to Long Island, Susan met and married Allan Dowds. Together, they adopted their two children, Sarah and John, and in 1995 the family moved to Marblehead, MA.

Susan was a talented photographer and an avid tennis player. She was a proud and active member of the Bass River Tennis Club in Beverly for over twenty-five years. She also dedicated a decade of service to Girls Inc. of Lynn, MA, where she supported young women from underserved communities as they began their college journeys.

Beyond her professional and volunteer work, Susan was a beloved mother, a passionate gardener, and a joyful world traveler. She was a free-spirited beacon of positivity and strength, whose resilience—whether on the tennis court or in the hospital—is remembered just as warmly as her generous heart. She will be dearly missed.

Susan is survived by her mother, Gladys; her siblings Joseph and Lori; her husband Allan; and her children Sarah and John.

A memorial celebration of life will be held in her honor at the Bass River Tennis Club, 31 Tozer Road, Beverly, MA, this Saturday, September 20 from 5-7pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at eustisandcornellfuneralhome.com for Susan's family