Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Deanna Dale McDowell, 69, died Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, at home in Wamic, Ore., following a battle with cancer.
She was born Oct. 10, 1943, in Portland, Ore., to William and Florence (Keefer) Walker, and raised in Lake Oswego, Ore. She graduated from Lake Oswego High School and attended Portland State University, leaving to marry Thomas J. McDowell on Oct. 19, 1963. They lived in Portland-Gresham for the next 35 years, raising four children, before moving to Wamic-Smock Prairie in south Wasco County.
After school she went into the banking business, working for Security Bank, US Bank, Mt Hood Security Bank/Security Pacific Bank as a vice president and then to Key Bank as manager. She retired from US Bank in 1998.
She served on a variety of boards and organizations in Gresham. After moving to the Wamic area in 1998, they became members of St. Mary’s Church in Maupin and she became active with White River Health & Living. She was appointed as Canyon Rim Manor’s chairman of the board from about 2000 until her death. In 2000 she established a Soroptomist International Group in The Dalles. She was also an active volunteer for events held by the Pine Hollow Fire Department.
She is survived by her husband, Tom McDowell, sons Theodore and Timothy, sister Karen and her husband Richard, grandchildren Tyler, Tanner, Katie, Travis, Cheyenne and Taren, and a great-granddaughter Ruby Kelly.
She was preceded in death by her parents, son Anthony and daughter Tobi.
Services will be Sunday, Sept. 15, at 1 p.m. at the Maupin High School Gymnasium.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Deschutes Rim Health Clinic in Maupin; checks can be mailed to PO Box 219, Maupin, OR, 97037-0219.
Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home, The Dalles, is in charge of arrangements.
