Coleen McDowell
March 7, 1958 ~ January 13, 2021
McDonough Southern Cremations & Funerals
Coleen Ann Mc Dowell nee Boucher was born to Ruth Boucher and late Carlton Benjamin on the 7th of March, 1958. The second girl but 4th child of Ruth, Coleen was born as premature baby girl at 7months in the little village Good Intent on West Bank of Demerara in Guyana.
Coleen obtained her education at the La Retraite Church of Scotland School and then moved on to CritchlowCommercial School where she did short hand and type writing before moving into the world of work. Her first job being a telephone operator with the Guyana Telecommunication Corporation but versatility after being a telephone operator for many years she to becoming an accounts clerk at the Wales Sugar Estate. Her love for adventure and travel led to Madhia, Region 7 where she held the position as Assistant Accountant.
Being the kind of person Coleen was, no doubt led her to be a protective, adoring and loving mother to her three boys Colwin Duncan, Colston Boucher and her baby Colvin Andrews. She no doubt loved these boys with all her heart and spoilt them at every chance she got.
In 1992, Coleen got married to John Andrews, this union did not last because being the no nonsense and plain spoken person she was, He surly wasn’t ready for that type of a woman.
In 1996, Coleen migrated to United States of America in search of a better life for herself and to be better able to take care of her children, whom she took full responsibility for. It was here America in 1998 she met Mr. Lawrence Franklyn Mc Dowell who couldn’t resist the beautiful bright eyed lady so they became friends and this later led them being joined in marriage in 2005 on the 25th of June. This union was indeed blessed because as their vowed said, “Until death do us part,” and it was on Wednesday 13th January, 2021 death indeed parted them. Coleen as a young woman and until the time of death loved the Lord which led to her being a vibrant member of the Calvary Moravian Church while she lived in Guyana, a church she grew up in from a child. It was at this Church that her love for singing came alive as most Sundays it was her voice that bellowed out the sweetest renditions. Coleen later became a member of the Woodside Choir one of the most famous Choirs in Guyana.
Coleen was also an actor, her beauty coupled with her wittiness and brain landed her roles in two local movies, “If Wishes Were Horses and Sound Of The Sugar Cane.” In her latter days before leaving Guyana she was a member of the G. V. Drama Group, a group organized and ran by the Wales Sugar Estate where she worked at the time.
On taking up residence in America, Coleen found a new love. This love was one that was a trait of her mother, it was love of cooking and baking. While living in Philadelphia, Coleen opened a restaurant then again in Atlanta she was known by most for her tasty dishes.
Coleen was one of the most friendly, generous and genuine person anyone could have meet. These characteristics led to have many friends in the like of her childhood friend Lorene Chapman – Alleyne and other friends like Denise Small, Tessa Skeete, Lorna Joseph - Thomas, Ederle Benn, Hermilinda April, Lavene Richards, Beryl Gordon, Arlene Rodney – Joseph, Juliet and Alga Statia, the Skeetes family and others too numerous to mention.
Coleen was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 and at the young age of 62 years on Wednesday 13th January, 2021 God has chosen to call her home leaving behind her mom, husband, 1 uncle, 3 sons, 1 grandson, 1 daughter in law, 4 sisters, 6 brothers, 32 nieces and nephews, 57 great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends too many to mention.
Sleep on Coleen, Sleep and take your rest. We love you but God loves you more.
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2014 I decided to change my career path to working at bedside in Healthcare. My first job was at Grace Healthcare of Tucker. Even though I had a love for caring and helping other I was a bit nervous. My first day on the floor I meet someone that we had a few things in common. She was Guyanese,very caring,love to cook,dance and travel. We had similar work ethic and I know her uncle Vidal Boucher. That person was Coleen McDowell and we created a special bond. After being there for about a year I got lead into going to Dekalb Medical and shared the information with Coleen and encourage her to let’s move on. If you know Nursing Home it hard work….she followed me there and we hold and special bond until after a battle with terminal illness her Lord and Savior called her home. I had the pleasure of visiting with her about 10 hrs before she made her transition and I know that she is safe in the arms of Jesus. Sleep and take your rest my friend until we meet again.