Born: April 2, 1923

Died: March 24, 2013

Margaret Mary (Peg) Dowling, 89, died on March 24 at Woodland Terrace of Niles. She was born in St. Paul, Minn., on April 2, 1923, to the late Mary and Michael Kelly. On April 14, 1947, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Niles, she married the late Michael Dowling. He was a captain in the 1st Marine Corps when they met on New Year’s Eve, 1945, in Washington, D.C., where Peg worked as a secretary at the Pentagon Building.

Prior to their marriage, Peg returned to the Great Lakes region upon the urging of Mike, who had moved to Niles. Peg secured a secretarial position at the Lakeshore National Bank, Chicago. Under Mike’s guidance that autumn of 1946, Peg formed a strong allegiance with the University of Notre Dame.

As a newlywed in her adopted hometown of Niles, Peg’s exuberant and caring spirit quickly earned her lifelong friends who together celebrated their joys and endured their sorrows.

Peg was a member of St. Mary’s Church for 65 years, and its former Altar Rosary Society. Her valuable contributions to the parish bazaars were her legendary pies, for which advance purchases were made.

She had a 21-year career as secretary in the Purchasing Dept. of Clark Equipment Co., Buchanan.

In retirement, Peg enjoyed bridge club, golf, gardening, travel with friends and family, and especially her beloved role as “Gee Gee” to her grandchildren, Caroline and Michael Beal, Ryne, Caitlin, Kelly and Jenna Dowling, and Natalie, Mallory and Allison Horner.

Peg is survived by her five children: Michael, Timothy (Stacy), Patrick (Cathy) and Mary Patricia Dowling, and Sheila Horner; her nine grandchildren, and her sister, Lorraine Gillespie. “Aunt Peg” also cared dearly for her 15 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Mike, her parents, nine siblings, two nephews, her son-in-law, Jay Horner, and many great friends.

Peg’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff members of Woodland Terrace, and Hospice at Home.

Gifts in Peg’s memory can be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 201 S. Lincoln Ave., Niles, Hospice at Home, or the Niles Christian Service Center, which was founded by her friend, Sister Delora.

The Mass of Christian Burial for Margaret Dowling will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church by the Rev. David Otto.  Committal Rites will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with recitation of The Rosary at 6:30 p.m. by the Rev. William P. Melody of Notre Dame, Ind.

www.halbritterfunerals.com