Cover photo for Mary Margaret "Maggie" Dowling's Obituary
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1940 Mary 2020

Mary Margaret "Maggie" Dowling

October 20, 1940 — March 6, 2020

Harrisburg

Mary Margaret “Maggie” Dowling, 79, of Harrisburg, passed away on Friday, March 6, 2020.

Born October 20, 1940 in Harrisburg, Maggie was the daughter of the late William and Beatrice (Hilton) Dowling and graduated from Harrisburg Catholic High School (Bishop McDevitt) in 1958. She received her Nursing and Bachelor of Arts Degrees from Lebanon Valley College, her Master’s Degree in Psychology from Temple University, and was a PhD candidate. Maggie had a long and distinguished career as a psychiatric nurse at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her four siblings: The Honorable John C. Dowling, Sister Mary Bartholomew I.H.M., Celeste D. Williamson, and William J. Dowling, as well as her nephew and godson, William J. Dowling II, and her beloved cat , Ambrose.

A passionate doll lover, Maggie spent a lifetime collecting and appreciating them, and was well known in the doll collecting community. A charter member of the John Harris Doll Club, the Central Penn Doll Collectors of America, and the Letitia Penn Doll Club in Philadelphia, she won distinguished awards for the quality of her individual and collective dolls. Most recently, a grouping of Maggie’s dolls was featured at the United Federation of Doll Collectors Conference.

Proud of her Irish heritage, she loved to travel the world, especially to her favorite destinations, England and Ireland. Her favorite holiday was St. Patrick’s Day, and she would be pleased to know that this is the day of her services. Maggie was known for her love of everything purple which was reflected in her clothes, accessories, and in recent years, a purple streak in her otherwise red hair. She loved reading mystery novels and watching scary movies. Maggie, who lived by her own set of unique rules, had a sharp intellect, a quick wit, and a wry sense of humor. While she loved all animals, she had a special place in her heart and her home for cats.

Maggie was lifelong and dedicated member of St. Francis of Assisi Church, Harrisburg.

She is survived by a large and devoted family, including her sister-in-law, Barbara K. Dowling, Harrisburg, and ten nieces and nephews: James T. (Freda) Dowling of Fayettville, NC, Nancy D. McCoy of Leland NC, David B. (Marilyn) Dowling, Kathryn D. Wrye, Elizabeth D. (Bob) Gorland, The Honorable Andrew H. Dowling, Eileen B. Rusyn—all of Harrisburg, PA, Amy D. (Jim) Burdick of Annapolis, MD, Matthew J. Dowling of Apopka, FL, and Michele D. Lawrence of Millersburg, PA. Maggie is also survived by many loyal friends, including Dee Brown and her life-long friend Mary V. Knackstedt.

Services will be held at11:00 am Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at Kimmel Funeral Home, 2001 Market Street, Harrisburg, with the Rev. Philip White, Jr., OFM, CAP, officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.

There will be a viewing Monday evening from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Kimmel Funeral Home, 2001 Market Street, Harrisburg. An additional viewing will be held Tuesday morning at the funeral home from 10:00 am until 10:45 am.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Margaret "Maggie" Dowling, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

24 Hour Viewing

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Starts at 10:00 am (Eastern time)

W. Orville Kimmel Funeral Home, Inc.

2001 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17103

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Funeral Service

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)

W. Orville Kimmel Funeral Home, Inc.

2001 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17103

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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