Madeline Marjorie McDowell

Our beloved daughter, Madeline McDowell, passed away peacefully March 3rd, 2016 due to complications from minor surgery performed the prior day. She is loved and missed by many for her beautiful smile and bright presence. Madeline was a beautiful and talented young woman who aspired to help people throughout her daily life. She had a strong commitment to being a nurturing servant. She always looked out for those in need, be it a small child or a homeless person. She had ambitions as a chef, as well as deeper calling to help people in the criminal justice system. She was passionate about helping others who could not help themselves. She was studying criminal justice at Metropolitan Community College, intending to someday become a police officer and serve humanity through public service.

Her happiest moments were when she was with her family and friends, taking care of children as a nanny, befriending neighborhood children, and planning and executing beautiful culinary delights. She found comfort in social media and shared her passions for love of her family, cooking for others, and caring for others through Facebook.

Madeline was born October 2, 1992 in Kansas City and a lifelong resident. Her given name, Madeline, was chosen by her birth mother and loved by her parents. She attended CS 1 and graduated from Notre Dame de Sion Lower and High Schools. She developed a passion for Scottish Dancing at a very young age and embodied natural talents for the art. She competed in dance competitions across the Midwest, in Maine, and multiple locations in Scotland. Madeline had a beautiful voice, talented writer, enjoyed basketball and tennis but shied away from attention and competition. She enjoyed movies and watched her favorites again and again.

Her family is comforted that she has joined her grandfathers Ed McDowell and George Kiloh, and uncle Gary McDowell, among many other loved ones in a place of eternal peace and love. That does not disturb our sadness that she had a long life in front of her and know that had she had a chance she would have continued to give and make the world a better place.

Madeline is survived by parents Mary Anne and Steve McDowell, brother Kiloh Stephen McDowell, paternal grandmother Elsie McDowell, maternal grandparents Marge and Dick Campbell, aunt Beverly Forlow, uncle Kirk Kiloh, birth mother Laurie Stinson, and many cousins and other relatives.

A celebration of Madline’s life will be held at Unity Temple on the Plaza, beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 12th. A visitation with family members will begin at 10:00 a.m. on March 12th at Unity Temple. In honor of Madeline please wear pink.

For those wishing to honor Madeline, the family suggests contributions to the Madeline Fund at Missouri Bank, PO Box 26430, Kansas City, Missouri 64196 or at The Rabbit Hole, 110 Southwest Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, which will support The Rabbit Hole, a new children’s Explorastorium in the Crossroads District of Kansas City. Contributions can also be made online at www.rabbitholekc.org/madeline-fund or Newhouse www.newhouseshelter.org.