Mary Ellen O'Dowd

Mary Ellen O'Dowd, 79, of Leesburg, Virginia, died peacefully at her home on Wednesday, April 1, 2009 after many years of illness. Born Tuesday, May 7, 1929 in Staten Island, New York, she was the daughter of the late Bernard Denis O'Dowd and the late Mary Ellen Tallon O'Dowd. She lived most of her adult life in New Dorp where she raised her family, the Drurys. A son, Daniel T. Drury, brother, Thomas O'Dowd and sister, Angela Schleier predeceased her. Ms. O’Dowd graduated from St. Joseph’s College in 1950, earning her Bachelors degree and then attended Hunter College studying for her Masters Degree until 1953. She was a Language Arts teacher with the New York City Board of Education for over twenty years. Ms. O’Dowd began her teaching career in 1950, first teaching at New Dorp High School. After a seventeen year maternity leave, she returned to teaching at Egbert Junior High School (I.S. 2). She retired in 1987 and moved with her daughters to Reston, VA. Not one to sit idle, she found retirement boring and returned to school, getting her Masters Degree in English as a Second Language from Marymount University. She continued her career, teaching English as a Second Language at the Loudoun Campus of Northern Virginia Community College until she was 70. Ms. O’Dowd truly enjoyed teaching adults and found it fascinating getting to know her students and learning about their foreign cultures. She was a long-time member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Reston, VA and after moving to Leesburg, a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church. Ms. O’Dowd was an avid bridge player and tried never to miss a game. She enjoyed spending time with her family and considered herself to be blessed with many true friends over her lifetime. Surviving are sons: Edward J. Drury of Virginia Beach, VA, Bernard V. Drury of Princeton, NJ, Brendan C. Drury of Oceanside, NJ, David P. Drury of New Mexico, and John P. Drury of Staten Island, NY. Also surviving is her daughter Kathleen Mary Young of Reston, VA, and daughter Mary Jane Prigge and son-in-law Norbert Prigge of Leesburg, VA. Her surviving brothers are John M. O'Dowd of Staten Island, NY and Rev. Bernard J. O'Dowd, O.S.A of St. Thomas Monastery, Villanova, PA. She is survived by fifteen grandchildren: Deirdre Jane Prigge, Katelan Drury Young, Ian, Harrison, Christopher, Jessica, Daniel, Brigid, Conor, David, Joseph, James, Shannon, Brendan and Nicholas all Drury. She had one great grandchild, Colin Drury. She also had a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Friends may call at the Loudoun Funeral Chapel, 158 Catoctin Cr. SE, Leesburg, VA from 2-4 and 6-8 on Sunday, April 5, 2009. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church located at Corner of King & Union Leesburg, Virginia 20175 with the Father Augustine Minh-Hai Tran officiating. Interment will be in St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Leesburg, VA.

Mary Ellen O'Dowd

May 7, 1929 - April 1, 2009