Lucy Lee McDowell's Obituary
Lucy Lee Thompson McDowell, 102, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2024. She was born in Iola, KS on October 15, 1921 to Clyde Everett Thompson Sr. and Lucy Elizabeth Wilson Thompson. Lucy Lee graduated from Iola High School in 1939, Iola Junior College in 1941, and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Kansas in 1943. In high school Lucy Lee was one of the originators of the “IOLA” letter girls who marched in the lead of the Iola High School band; member, treasurer and president of the Iola High School Pep Club; editor of the Iola High School Lamp. Lucy Lee had the distinction of attending the very first Girl’s State in Kansas and was a member of the National Honor Society. At the University of Kansas she joined Gamma Phi Beta social sorority. Upon graduation she worked as an abstracter for her father’s firm, Iola Abstract Company. On July 12, 1950, Lucy Lee married G. W. “Mick” McDowell and began working as an auditor-accountant for Sterner & McDowell. Lucy Lee was a member of Chapter DD PEO, the First Presbyterian Church and the Chanute Country Club. Lucy Lee was an avid sports fan and loved the Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs and the University of Kansas Jayhawks. She enjoyed playing bridge, tennis, golf and working crossword puzzles. More than anything she cherished her family and friendships. Lucy Lee was inherently able to see the humor in any situation and laughed often and always with gusto. She was known to be mischievous and adored a good story, joke or prank. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 52 years, G.W. “Mick” McDowell in 2003, her siblings, June Thompson Toland (Stanley), Frank W. Thompson (Helen), Charlotte Thompson Ford (Harold), Clyde E. Thompson (Nan). She is survived by her daughter, Aimee McDowell Scovell (Joseph), grandchildren Grace Thompson Scovell (29) and Samuel Joseph Scovell (27) all of Kansas City, MO. We would like to thank all the caregivers, especially Kisha and Mona, who treated Mom with dignity and made her feel like family. Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 15 N. Steuben Avenue, Chanute, KS 66720 on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 11:00 am. Graveside services will take place at 2:00 pm at Highland Cemetery in Iola, Kansas. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the First Presbyterian Church or the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org/kansascity. Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com. Services are under the direction of Countryside Funeral Home 101 N. Highland, Chanute, KS 66720.
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