Obituary of Zita MacDowell

Zita MacDowell, 89, a lifelong area resident, died Saturday, January 14, 2012 at Elant at Fishkill. Mrs. MacDowell resided with her daughter, Zita Kobos and her husband, Vincent in Poughquag for five years before entering the nursing home. Mrs. MacDowell lived her married life in the Village of Wappingers Falls, just doors away from her childhood home. She is the daughter of the late Edward and Emily Delaney. Zita met her husband while working at the Hand Prints in the Wappingers Falls Bleachery. They married May 12, 1946 at Zion Episcopal Church. Mr. MacDowell predeceased her on September 4, 1992. After being married, Zita worked a short while at the Texaco Research Center in Glenham until the birth of their son. Many years later she returned to work at Grinnell Library after having their daughter. She worked there for sixteen years until her retirement. She and her husband enjoyed many retirement vacations with her brother, Thomas Allen Delaney and his wife, Charlotte. Her most enjoyable trips were to Florida visiting Charlotte's sister, visiting the southern states, Hawaii, Spain and Portugal. Zita was a one time past president of the Wappingers Falls Historical Society. She sang for many years in the Zion Church Choir. Her joy was to walk one of the many dogs she owned in the Mesier Homestead Park in the village. She was also an avid reader. She is survived by her son, David MacDowell and his wife, Bunny of Austin, Texas; grandchildren, Emily, Jessica and William; great-grandchildren, Cassandra and Ann; her daughter, Zita Kobos and her husband, Vincent of Poughquag; her granddaughter, Katherine as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, Edward, Thomas Allen, and William and sisters, Emily, Dorothy, Marjorie and Rhoda. Family will receive friends on Friday January 20, 2012 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 21 at Zion Episcopal Church, Satterlee Place, Wappingers Falls. Interment will be in the outside garden columbarium at Zion Church. Memorial donations in Zita's name may be made to Zion Episcopal Church, 12 Satterlee Place, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. For directions to the funeral home or to send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.