Rita C. Dowling

Rita C. Dowling, long-time resident of Annapolis, Md., wife of the late Dr. John A. Dowling, M.D., and beloved mother of five, died on February 3, 2024 at her assisted living residence in Crofton, MD after surviving many years with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 86. Born June 18, 1937, in Norwalk Connecticut, she graduated from Ridgewood High School in Ridgewood, NJ and then attended Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York where she received a B.A. in mathematics. She pursued a career as a Technical Representative for the Burroughs Corporation and then later worked for IBM as a Systems Engineer in New York City. She met John A. Dowling while both were living and working in New York City and they were married in a Catholic ceremony on Sept. 30, 1961 at the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, NJ. The couple moved multiple times due to his medical residency training in plastic and reconstructive surgery, but eventually settled in Potomac, MD where they resided for almost 20 years raising five adopted children. In 1977, Rita began a 40 year career in personal property/real estate management in which she directed the investment, renovation, interior design, rental, sales, and construction of over 25 houses, apartments, flats, condominiums, and even a farm. She researched and invested in locations that over time proved lucrative hot spots: Nantucket Island, MA, Eastern Shore of MD, Annapolis, MD, St. Simon Island, GA, Mercersburg, PA, Connemara and Dublin, Ireland, London, England, Key West, FL, and NY, NY. Her specialty was identifying properties with spectacular waterfront views. Real estate investment was both a career and hobby for Rita. She enjoyed sharing her properties with family, friends, and renters alike. She loved being with friends and loved ones in the outdoors, hiking, gardening, golfing, swimming and sailing. She was an avid and enthusiastic world traveler and had friends all over the globe. Over her lifetime, Rita became a prolific and talented water color painter often painting the views from her properties. She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 32 years, Dr. John A. Dowling, her two brothers Dr. Paul J. Cannon and Kerry J. Cannon, and her son, Thomas Matthew Dowling. Rita is survived by her four children, David (Jovanny), Sean (Wendy), Anne (Matthew) Auer, and Elizabeth (Christopher, deceased) Hale and six grandchildren, Hayley, Eric, John, Emma, Madison and Michael. A memorial mass service will be held on February 12, 2024 at 1 p.m. at Mother of Sorrows, Centreville, MD and burial will follow at St. Peters Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a local Catholic Charities or Habitat for Humanity.

Rita C. Dowling

June 18, 1937 - February 3, 2024