Doris Aileen Dowling

Doris Aileen Peel Dowling passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, May 3, 2015 at Riderwood Village in Silver Spring, Maryland. She was born on July 17, 1923 to the late Robert (Sam) and Ruth Peel in Mt. Rainier, MD.  She graduated from Eastern High School in Washington, DC.  On December 20, 1941 she married George Russell Dowling. They were married over 45 years, until his death in 1987. After raising her children, Doris worked for several years as a dental assistant in Avondale, MD.  She loved spending time in her summer home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and volunteering at University Baptist Church, where she was a member.  She enjoyed dancing, painting china, needlework, reading, spending time with her family and caring for her dearly loved dog, Muttleigh and cat, Tum-Tum.

Doris is survived by her sister, Joan Mulligan; her daughter, Donna Rae Ballard; her son, Robert Dowling and his wife Carol.  She also leaves behind her four grandchildren: Kenneth Hendershot, Jeffrey Hendershot, Kristin Spenser, and Michael Dowling.  In addition, she leaves six great-grandchildren: Sam, Matt, Justin, Caitlin, Leslie, and Robyn and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University Baptist Church, 3515 Campus Drive, College Park, MD  20740, or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, www.michaeljfox.org.