Maurice “Mac” McDowell

Maurice “Mac” McDowell, a resident of Upper Providence and Media for 60 years, died on November 18 at age 95.

Born in Dannevirke, New Zealand, Mac studied chemistry at the University of Otago. He played rugby football on the University’s A Team and was elected Club Captain.

He sailed to the United States in 1947 to take up a fellowship at Brown University. After being awarded a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, he accepted a job at the Marshall Lab with the DuPont Company.

He played a part in many technological developments, including Lucite water-based paints and polybutadiene linings for beer cans. Blessed with good health, he proudly kept a perfect attendance record at DuPont from 1950 to 1983.

After retiring from DuPont, Mac worked as a consultant in New Hampshire and Trinidad. He later joined the International Executive Service Corp. as a volunteer. He and his wife, M.J., enjoyed IESC assignments in Thailand, Jordan, Morocco and Egypt.

Mac was an avid vegetable gardener, a volunteer at Riddle Memorial Hospital, and a member of the Upper Providence Planning Council. He swam daily up to age 92, and won more than seven gold medals in the Delco Senior Games.

Mac was predeceased by his wife Mary Joan “M.J.” McDowell (nee Skubic). He is survived by his loving children Brian McDowell (Janet Deck) of Exton, Diana Rowny (Grayson John Rowny) of Silver Spring, MD, Bruce McDowell (Bonnie Reed) of Garnet Valley, and Amy McDowell (Joseph Corsi) of West Chester; as well as granddaughters Valarie Strunk, Marissa McDowell and Danielle McDowell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mac’s memory can be made to Rocky Run YMCA, Annual Campaign for Aquatics Programs (1299 Baltimore Pike, Media PA 19063).

Memorial services will be held Friday 1½3 at The Concordville Inn/Best Western (Rt 322 & Baltimore Pike, Concordville, PA). Calling hours: 11:00 am – 12:00 noon. Memorial Service: 12:00 pm.

To offer a condolence message, visit cavanaghfuneralhome.com/obituaries