Donna Marie Dowd

Donna was born on November 2nd 1945, in the city of Pittsburgh PA the the first of ten children born to Rita and John Stephans.

Donna graduated from University of Pittsburgh in 1970. She held a BS in science as well as a MA in Education and a second MA from City University of New York in Educational Administration.

She worked as middle school science teacher for 37 years, mostly at IS 93 in Queens, New York City. Many of the students were newly arrived immigrants. She also taught at Islip Junior High School and at IS 77. She served as Assistant Principal at IS 61.

A woman of deep faith, she taught religious education and was, for a time, a novice with the Sisters of Mercy.

She was actively involved in civics being named woman of the year by the Queens Democratic Party due to her unending advocacy for her community.

Education was often the center of her efforts and she was a great supporter of the Queens Library, taking on many projects including the restoration the children’s library in Ridgewood, NY.

She was also active in many causes at her parishes of St. Matthias in NYC and at St. Francis of Assisi of Raleigh such as the Care of Creation Ministry working to educate and inform as well as take action on environmental issues.

Donna is preceded in death by her mother, Rita, father, John, sister Jean and brother, John (Jack).

She is survived by her husband, Thomas Carlyle, sons Thomas Sean and his wife Heather, son David John and grandsons Liam and Declan as well as her brothers and sisters Carol, Rita, Gregory, Mark, Dan, Christine and Noreen, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Duke University Hospital staff for the care and compassion they showed our loved one in her final days.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 11401 Leesville Rd. Raleigh, NC 27613, on Friday November 21, 2025, beginning at 11 am.

For those who cannot attend in person, the mass will be live streamed https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-liturgy-for-donna-dowd-d0zndrshsedio1ndpidy

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Donna's honor to Saint Francis Care of Creation Ministry at St Francis of Assist Church in Raleigh.

Online through ParishSOFT: Link: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Giving/FD-674

Select “One-Time Gift,” choose “Offertory” from the dropdown menu, and include “Care for Creation in remembrance of Donna Dowd” in the note field.

By check:

Please make checks payable to St. Francis of Assisi and note “Care for Creation in remembrance of Donna Dowd” in the memo line.

Online through ParishSOFT: Link: https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Giving/FD-674

Select “One-Time Gift,” choose “Offertory” from the dropdown menu, and include “Care for Creation in remembrance of Donna Dowd” in the note field.

If you would like to leave a favorite memory / story of Donna, or a message of condolence for her family, you may do so below, within ‘Add a Memory’.