Richard Wayne McDowell

Richard Wayne McDowell, age 69, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side at his home in Newark, DE on September 8, 2021. 

Born in Wilmington, DE in 1952 to parents George William and Maybelle Glavette McDowell, Richard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and sometimes-surrogate-dad to youths that didn’t have a father figure in their life. 

Richard had a passion for playing and watching sports, listening to and singing along with music, going on drives with and shopping with his wife, being a fun mentor to his children and granddaughter, spending time outside in the sun, building projects, watching musicals, and selflessly helping out others whenever he could.  He had a deep and passionate work ethic, often holding more than one job at a time.  His primary profession was working as a housekeeper/groundskeeper for Memorial Hospital/Christiana Care Medical Center, where he worked for over 4 decades before retiring in 2020.  Richard had a friendly personality and enjoyed socializing with others, making everyone laugh or smile.  He, most importantly, was a devoted family man who never said ‘no’ when needed and was the backbone of his entire family.  Those who knew him, refer to him as “larger than life” or they sum up his life by simply saying, “He was a truly GOOD man!”

Richard was a man who was serious when he needed to be, but funny when he wanted to be.  He passed those traits down to his children, who attribute all of their successes in life to the example taught to them by their dad (and mom).

Richard was predeceased by his father George W. McDowell, Grandmother Elizabeth (Kuhn) McDowell, Brothers Kevin McDowell and David W. McDowell, “mom” Cecelia B. Czajkowski, and sisters-in-law Barbara A. Freeland and Carol K. Lilly.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 48 years Wanda P. McDowell who has been his “other half” since they were teenagers, daughter Lora A. Breton, son Richard G. McDowell, son-in-law Andre S. Breton, granddaughter Ella J. Breton, sister Martha A. McVeigh, brother Donald A. McDowell, sisters-in-law Joann E. Popeck, Florence B. Rose, Rosemary A. Popeck, and Paula J. Akers, as well as countless nieces and nephews, who will all miss him dearly.

A private burial service will be held graveside at All Saints Cemetery in Wilmington, DE on September 22, 2021.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Rockville MD 20852

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