Mary McDowell Obituary

Mary Judith McMahon McDowell CHARLESTON - Judith McMahon McDowell, 81, passed away peacefully on Saturday evening, March 4, 2023, after a 20 plus year valiant, stoic, uncomplaining, battle with multiple myeloma. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM, Thursday, March 9, 2023, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 95 Hasell St., Charleston. The Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends between 4:00 and 6:00 PM Wednesday evening at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy. Judy was born in Charleston on September 20, 1941, daughter of the late Gerald F. McMahon and Genevieve Kanapaux McMahon. She grew up in an idyllic neighborhood on Grove Street and on Hampton Park Playground (now McMahon Playground) where her mother, "Aunt Gen" to countless kids, was Playground Supervisor. Judy attended Sacred Heart Grammar School, Bishop England High School (1959) and the College of Charleston. At BE she was Co-Captain (along with her cousin, Annette McCrary) and high scorer on the girls' basketball team. She went on to play basketball at the College. Judy was also on the first BE girls' tennis team. She enjoyed a long career in the community; first with the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, then with the U.S. District Court, rising to Deputy Clerk of Court, a position she held for many years before retiring. During her time in the Court system, she came to know an inordinate number of Charleston lawyers and judges becoming friends with all. Among her accomplishments, Judy was the first female president of the South Carolina Irish Historical Society. She enjoyed all sports, particularly golf and tennis, until her illness finally prevented her from participating. Judy loved watching college football, (especially the Clemson Tigers), golf, tennis, basketball and Braves baseball on TV. She also enjoyed cooking for her family, especially hosting her traditional, large, weekly Saturday spaghetti lunch. Judy was blessed with two children from her marriage to T. Lawrence (Lukie) Lucas: Elizabeth Deanne Lucas (Charlie) and Gerald Lawrence Lucas (Amy). She married Robert H. McDowell in 1985 and from then on enjoyed the blessings of a blended family with the addition of Bob's three children: Robert Hayden McDowell (Kristi), Frances Jenkins McDowell Bailey (Steve) and William Nevil McDowell (Jill). In addition to her children, she is survived by her brothers: Frederick William McMahon, Gerald Frederick McMahon, Jr. and nieces, Maire Hennessy McMahon Davitt (Lou) and Sarah Bridges Hales (Kevin), all of Charleston. Also surviving are her grandchildren: Mary Ellen Doscher, William Lucas Doscher, Basil Lawrence Lucas, Bailey Lancaster Lucas and Margaret Genevieve Lucas, Frances Courtenay McDowell, Caroline McDowell Westover (Cameron), Robert Hislop McDowell, Mariah Housel McDowell, Steven Evander Bailey, Jr., Frances Jenkins Bailey, Helen Huette McDowell and Eliza Cahill McDowell; a grandnephew: George James Hales and great-grandchildren: Giselle Dos Santos, Abigail, Sydney and Kadance Westover. Judy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bob, and beloved sister-in-law, Judge Judy Lentine McMahon. Please consider a contribution in Judy's memory to the Bishop England Alumni Association, 363 Seven Farms Dr., Charleston, SC 29492 or St. Mary's Church Restoration Fund, 89 Hasell St., Charleston, SC 29401. Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston