Phyllis Joan Dowell

Phyllis Joan Dowell, 86, of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, returned to her heavenly home on December 10, 2018. Her devotion to her family and firm belief supported her and gave her peace.

Phyllis was born (August 18, 1932) Phyllis Joan Waters to the late James Alton and Selma Agusta (Philp) Waters, a farming family in the San Luis Valley of Colorado. Her parents taught their daughter that she could do anything she put her mind to.

Phyllis met the love of her life and best friend, the late Donald Wesley Dowell in the Valley. They were married August 27, 1950 in Sargent, CO. They moved to Van Nuys, California and Roy, Utah before making their home in Littleton Colorado. They raised four children. She taught them to read and inspired them to do well in school.

Phyllis was an energetic volunteer and businesswoman who earned a degree between her third and fourth child. She had a heart for folks with disabilities, teaching disabled swimming and building a specialized home for people that use wheelchairs. She served on the Governor’s Commission for the Handicapped. She led Girl Scouts and Sunday School and served on numerous church missions. Her real estate firm, Century 21 Dowell Realty, was an anchor in the south Denver area before she retired. Phyllis and Donald owned rental properties that still serve the community today.

Phyllis loved to see the natural beauty of the world throughout her life even when blindness took much of her sight. She loved to travel, especially to Hawaii, and could bring out the best in all her new friends she met. She enjoyed life to the end, driving about in her scooter, noticing flowers, contrails and Black Angus cattle, supporting her grandkids and great grandkids, giving back rubs to fellow residents and workers at her home at Mill Vista Lodge.

Phyllis is survived by:  Sisters: Martha Oliver, Patricia Blackburn and Glenda Neal; Children: James (Robyn) Dowell, Susan (Randall) Poet, Betsy (Roger) Gilbertson, and Robert (Amanda) Dowell; Grandchildren: Britt Dowell, Lindsey (Poet) Carron, Laryssa Dowell, Rebecca Dowell, Victoria Gilbertson, Sonia Gilbertson, Marshal Poet, Cooper Dowell and Harrison Dowell; Great-Grandchildren: Jocelyn, Jonathan, Jemma and Joshua Carron.

Memorial Service will be held Friday, December 14, 2018, 3:00 P.M. at Littleton United Methodist Church, 5894 S. Datura Street, Littleton, Colorado 80120. A reception will immediately follow the service at the church.

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