Daughter, sister, cousin, sister-in-law, wife, mother, aunt, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, sister-in-Christ, friend
At the age of 85, Marie left this world, spending her final days in Redmond, Washington at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Sandy & Kevin Merchant.
She was born in Leadville, Colorado, on April 1st, 1928, to Gertrude (Schmidt) and Wallace McCarty, one of seven siblings.
Following high school graduation she found employment as a telephone operator in Leadville for the Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph Co.
She met Albert Leroy (Roy) Hawkins, a WW II US Marine Corps veteran, on a blind date. Shortly thereafter they were married on April 5, 1953, and made their home in Leadville.
Shortly before the birth of their youngest daughter, Roy was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. In addition to rearing three young children, she became a fulltime care-giver to her husband. Out of necessity, she went to work for the Climax Molybdenum Company in 19646 as their switchboard operator for the Leadville office. At the age of 41, Roy died on June 6th, 1969. From 1970 to 1975 she took a position in the Accounting department, and then returned to the job she loved as switchboard operator. She continued working at Climax until retiring in 1982.
In the spring of 1971, Marie married Roy David (Mac) McDowell, a US Navy & Army veteran and retired state patrolman, who worked as an expeditor in the Supply department. She continued working at Climax until retiring in 1985.
After almost 34 years of marriage, Marie once again became a fulltime care- giver to Mac, who passed away on February 5th, 2005 due to complications of COPD.
In the fall of 2009, Marie moved to Redmond, Washington on November 1st to live with her daughter, Sandy, and son-in-law, Kevin. After a very brave battle with COPD herself, Marie flew from this world on April 2nd.
She enjoyed crocheting, doing word puzzles and crosswords. She was known for her potato salad and heavenly hash; none of her children have been able to match.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Wallace and Gertrude McCarty, her siblings, Wallace McCarty, Jr., Chalmer McCarty, Donald McCarty, Patricia Bowles, Marlene Kerrigan and Jane Youmans.
She is survived by her son Patrick (Cynthia) Hawkins, Susan (William) Lockwood and Sandra (Kevin) Merchant; grandchildren Justin (Markie) Damera, Bonny (Shawn) Archuleta, Jared (Amy) Damera, Cheryl Hawkins, Denise (William) Carlin and Josh (Carrie) Damera; great grandchildren Haydan Damera, Dakota Damera, Phoenix Damera, Caleb Damera, Lacey Damera, Isaac Carlin, Gideon Carlin, Marissa Archuleta and Martin Archuleta.