May C. McDowell

May 7, 1926 - March 23, 2017

Whitemarsh, PA. Thursday, March 23, 2017 - May Christine McDowell, née Vanderpoel, went to be with her Lord Jesus Christ, at the age of 90. Born on May 7, 1926, in Rutherford, NJ, May attended Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL, before graduating from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, with a BA in Philosophy, Class of '48. May was the beloved wife of John Smiley of Merchantville, NJ. They enjoyed a special, happy companionship for their 10 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of six children: Duncan McDowell (m. Patricia), Clyde McDowell, deceased (m. Lee), Glenn McDowell (m. Constance), Heather McDowell, deceased, Bruce McDowell (m. Anne), and Melody McDowell Istrati (m. Christopher Istrati). May is survived by 17 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. May's passions in life were her Lord Jesus Christ, her family, and music. She loved to travel to visit family, always remembered to send cards and gifts on birthdays, and was the life of the party at family gatherings. She sang soprano in the choir at Tenth Presbyterian Church, where she was a member, and was an accomplished pianist. She served with her former husband, Dr. Donald E. McDowell, as Southern Baptist missionaries for 20 years in Asunción, Paraguay, where she learned Spanish and Guaraní, taught Bible, piano, and raised her children. She was also Residence Director at the Baptist Hospital Nursing School and manager of the Baptist Book Store. During the summers she, oversaw vacation Bible school and served as Camp Director for the week long youth summer camps in Itacurubi de la Cordillera. She was Choir Director at the Primera Iglesia Bautista. In the USA she worked as a bilingual social worker in Missouri and Philadelphia. On one of her many jobs in a long colorful career, May worked as an administrative assistant at the Libyan Embassy in Washington, DC. Other work included positions with Broadview Baptist Church in Temple Hills, MD, a Christian international relief agency in Wheaton, IL., and sales of church photo directories in Philadelphia. May spent two wonderful years with her former husband, Charles Brindley, until his death in 2003. She enjoyed her relationships with her Brindley and Smiley stepchildren and their families. May delighted in being the central social connecting point for an extended family, including our missionary "family" from Paraguay. May will be deeply missed by all who knew her and loved her great sense of humor, infectious laugh, gift of gab, and stylish dress and hats. May was a great friend and long time supporter of her former house-mate, Annapaula Snow during Annapaula's 15 years with CEF of Camden NJ. Annapaula and her family are raising support to return to Brazil as full time missionaries. Send donations to: Mrs. Annapaula Snow World Renewal International P.O Box 399 Greenfield, IN 46140 Online donations can be made here: https://www.egsnetwork.com/gift2/?giftid=64E0FD4B16114D0 The official web page is WorldRenewal.org Go under people /missionary/Brazil, and click on John & Annapaula Snow. All invited to a memorial service followed by a reception: 2 pm Saturday, April 1, 2017 Tenth Presbyterian Church 1700 Spruce Street Philadelphia PA 19103 Parking for the Memorial Service near Tenth Presbyterian Church 1. Penn Garage 1700 South Street - enter from South Street, on right side, near 18th Street. Stamp your ticket at Tenth’s Delancey or Spruce Street entrances. $6 with stamped ticket. From 17th Street, this garage is three major streets south of Spruce St., with small blocks in between. You must have exact change after 8 PM. 2. Special Street Parking Permission in No Parking Areas Put a Tenth Parking Placard on the driver's side of your car's dashboard, visible through the front windshield. Placards are available at both the Spruce Street and Delancey Street entrances. You may park on: Both sides of Spruce from 17th to 18th Both sides of 17th from Spruce to Pine Both sides of 18th from Spruce to Pine