Obituary of Catherine Marie Dowd
Catherine (Kay) Marie Dowd, 94, passed away on Wednesday, January 25 at Centre Ave. Health and Rehab Facility in Fort Collins, Colorado, where she resided since November, 2015. Kay was born in Titusville, Pennsylvania on October 11, 1922, the daughter of the late Albert and Marion Jewell Roessner. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Jesse (Buddy) Lewis Dowd, II, and her sister Elizabeth Roessner Jude. Not long after graduating from Colestock High School in 1941, she traveled to Texas where she met AAF Second Lieutenant Jesse L. Dowd. They were married in Waco, Texas, August 30, 1943. In 1952, they returned to Titusville, where they resided in the family home on South Street. Kay’s grandfather, Charles A. Roessner built the home in the early 1900’s, after moving his family to Titusville from Hesse, Germany. He was the founder and owner of the original Titusville City Brewery. Kay and her husband were also the proprietors of Kay and Buddy’s Restaurant. She was a member of St. Titus Church and was active in the St. Titus PTA, the Gray Ladies, and was president of the Red Cross for several years. She also worked at the Titusville Hospital as a nurses aide. Kay had a lifelong passion for her family and her home which she lovingly displayed throughout her life. She made a lasting impression and made sure that every holiday and birthday was special. Her love of animals was a tribute to a woman who could nurture anything back to health and who valued and appreciated the simple pleasures in life. She is survived by 3 children: Jesse Lewis Dowd III of Greenville, TN, two daughters, Teresa (Teddi) Gerard of Russell, PA and Catherine (Cak) Cook of Fort Collins, CO. She was “Ma” to her seven grandchildren; Patti Hines, Pam Clark, and Wes Shaver of Titusville, PA, Jesse Dowd of Knoxville, TN, Chris Shaver of Leesburg, VA, Casha Chenier and Zachary Cook of Fort Collins, CO; eleven great grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. A memorial service will be held this summer in Titusville, PA. Memorial donations may be made to the any Humane Society of your choice.
