Obituary of Kathleen Lacey Dowling

Kathleen Lacey Dowling of Darien, CT, better known as Kate or "Miss Kate", passed away on November 27, 2012. Kate was born on September 18, 1952 in Westfield, MA. She was the loving daughter of Mary Lacey and the late Lawrence Lacey of Woodbridge, CT. Kate was the beloved wife of Patrick Henry Dowling and the loving mother of Patrick Jr. (Paddy), Connor, and Mackenzie (Mack). A thirty year resident of Darien, CT, Kate could always be found at her sons' lacrosse games from grammar school throughout their college years. She was her sons' most enthusiastic cheerleader, encouraging them to excel both on the field and in the classroom. Kate especially enjoyed sharing how "the angels" will always be watching over and helping her boys. Kate graduated from Albertus Magnus College where she majored in art. In 1987, she chose to retire from her career as an editor at IBM to raise her sons. Kate most recently worked at St. Luke's Nursery School in Darien where she loved being called "Miss Kate" by her students. Kate never lost her passion for art and continued to paint and sketch throughout her life. She was also an avid gardener who took great pride in the floral arrangements she made from her own gardens, and who loved harvesting her lemon tree at the family's home in Florida. Her lemons and flowers were gifts to family and friends that will always be cherished. Kate faced her battle with brain cancer bravely. She was "fighting mad", determined to win, and constantly challenging why no imminent cure exists for this tragic disease. Kate is survived by her husband and three sons; her mother; three sisters, Marybeth Alger, Margaret Greene and husband, and Amy Barnes; two brothers, Michael, Larry and wife; her sister-in-law Elaine Svendsen and husband; her brother-in-law, Thomas Dowling and wife; and 11 nieces and nephews. Friends may call at the Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Road, Darien on Thursday, December 6, 2012 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Kate's life will be celebrated with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Thomas More Church, 374 Middlesex Road, Darien, CT at 10:30 AM on Friday, December 7, 2012. Interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Miss Kate Foundation via its website at MissKateFoundation.org. We will always remember and love Kate. The Miss Kate Foundation was established in Kate's memory to fund brain cancer research at NYU Langone Medical Center and to help others become "fighting mad" in their fight against the disease. We will "miss" Kate forever. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820