From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Geraldine Fish Downey Bowman, 97, Vero Beach
April 06, 1926 – April 16, 2023
Geraldine Fish Downey Bowman, age 97 of Vero Beach, FL passed away on April 15, 2023 at Somerset House in Oak Harbor.
Geraldine, also known as Jerry by her family and close friends, was born in South Bend, IN on April 6, 1926. She was the daughter of Geraldine Osborne and Frederick Studebaker Fish, grandson of the founder of the Studebaker Automobile Corporation of South Bend, IN.
Jerry lived an interesting young life. Her family left South Bend and moved to an apartment on Park Avenue in New York City when she was nine. They also had a home in Nantucket. Her father, who was an avid outdoorsman, in 1926 purchased and created a self contained cattle ranch of thousands of acres of rangeland in the Rocky Mountains along the Wind River in Dubois, WY. This is where the family spent their summers.
There Jerry developed a love for animals and became an accomplished rider, fisherman, and collector of Wyoming rocks, minerals, fossils, and Native American relics. The ranch was her joy throughout her lifetime and a wonderful backdrop for her family.
Her family moved back to South Bend during World War II where she met and in 1946 married Daniel Granville Downey after his return from Yale University. Moving to Vero Beach in 1972, they became involved in the community. Their marriage lasted until his passing at the age of 80 in 2004.
With the passing of her husband, Jerry found new love with Mr. Robert Bowman of Vero Beach and subsequently married on May 25, 2012, at Riomar Country Club. They were members of Riomar Country Club, Vero Beach Yacht Club, and John’s Island Club.
The Bowman’s continued their summer visits to Wyoming, as well as traveling throughout the world until Bob’s passing at age 99 on April 18, 2020.
Jerry had four sons: Daniel G. Downey, Jr., Frederick F. Downey, Gregor S. Downey and Bryan R. Downey. Also 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. She is survived by all; a family to which she was devoted.
In addition to her husbands, Jerry was predeceased by her sister, Grace Studebaker Fish and her brother, Frederick Studebaker Fish Jr.
An inurnment will be held at the family mausoleum in South Bend, IN, at a later date.
If so inclined, a memorial donation in her name to a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated by her family.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Andrea Burns McCardell (nee Scheer), 77, Vero Beach
September 04, 1945 – April 18, 2023
Andrea Burns McCardell (nee Scheer) 77, passed away peacefully with her family by her side. Andrea was born in Vineland, NJ on September 4, 1945. After the untimely passing of her mother at a young age, she was raised by her Uncle Victor and Aunt Evelyn Pontiere in Paoli, PA. She spent her childhood hanging out in the family newsstand/soda shop and visiting Ocean City, NJ where she eventually moved after marrying her beloved husband of 48 years, Charles H. McCardell, Sr. Andrea moved to Vero Beach, FL in 2014 to fulfill their retirement dreams.
Andrea was a devoted wife and mother who lovingly stayed home to raise her four blessed children during which time, she was a Girl Scout Troop leader and cookie mom. She loved spending time with her family and friends, hosting holiday celebrations especially Easter & July 4th, baking someone a special cake/pie, camping, fishing, crabbing, beach life in flip flops, reading a good book, taking cruises on the ocean, and long vacations to Key West. Andrea loved remodeling, decorating, and beautifying her home “all things beachy”.
Andrea entered the healthcare field and worked for AtlantiCare Infectious Disease Clinic and AtlantiCare Family Medicine as an Office Manager until she retired in 2011. During her career she was an advocate and friend to all her patients. Her passion was to promote awareness and education to those living with AIDs and HIV. She participated in the annual J. Walkin’ event in Atlantic City and created the Red Ribbon Cookbook. Her guiding purpose was to envelop each patient with love.
Andrea will be dearly missed by her four children, Kimberly Adams and her husband Tim of St. Joseph, MI; Amy McCardell Burklew and her husband J of Vero Beach, FL; Charles McCardell, Jr. of Mays Landing, NJ; and Jennifer Little of Somers Point, NJ; 14 grandchildren: Julia (Jonny), Timmy, Haley (Dom), Grace, and Alyssa Adams; Patrick (Franny) and Nicholas (Sarah) Cocco, Shawn and Samantha Tiernan; Harry and Hannah McCardell; Georgia, Bryton, and Boyd Little; 5 great grandchildren: Charlie and Jack Cocco, Shawn Tiernan, III, Henry and Charlotte Appel. Her sister Cynthia Scheer and her wife Cathy Rabbai, cousin Mary Linda Barker, brother-in-law Bill McCardell, Sr, sister-in-law Barbara Ann DeBaufre and sister-in-law Gladys McCardell and many, many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Andrea was predeceased by her husband Charles H. McCardell, Sr., her father Charles Scheer. Jr, and her mother Helen Lutz Scheer.
The family will greet friends Thursday, June 29, 2023 from 9:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m., with a 10 a.m. Celebration of Life service to follow at Wellspring Church, 601 Babcock Road, Mays Landing, NJ 08330.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests “In Memory of Andrea McCardell” contributions may be made to VNA & Hospice Foundation, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Rita Louise Larson, 89, Florida
July 13, 1933 – April 23, 2023
On a bright Sunday morning, April 23.2023, Rita Louise Larson passed away peacefully at age 89. Rita was the beloved mother of two children, Jon Edward Larson II and Trina Larson, and a favorite aunt to many. She was predeceased by her husband Jon (Jack) Larson with whom she built a company and served on its board of directors. She was the last of her siblings (Lorraine, Ruth, Catherine, Eddy, and George). The world is a little less fun as a result. Rita was born in Niagara Falls, raised a family outside of Buffalo, NY, and moved to Florida permanently in 1998. This became the meeting hub for family and friends for many Christmases and other visits. A lover of animals, she cared for her family’s many dogs and, as a Depression-era child, made close friends with the chickens her family raised in a coop in the garage.
Rita was a wonderful wife and mother. She cared deeply for her family, friends, and neighbors, and was dearly loved in return. She will be missed by many, including her beloved Chihuahua Peanut.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Helen Catholic Church in Vero Beach, FL, at 1:00 on Friday, April 28, 2023.
In lieu of flowers, please enjoy a cannoli from time to time as she always did.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
David Alan Winfield, 79, Vero Beach
January 08, 1944 – April 23, 2023
David Alan Winfield, 79, peacefully passed away April 23, 2023, at VNA Hospice in Vero Beach, Florida, following a six month battle with cancer.
Dave grew up in Little Silver, New Jersey, in a very athletic family. He played baseball for the Little Silver Rockets Little League team, and then with the Little Silver Boys Club team. He attended Red Bank Regional High School, where he ran cross country and swam for the Shore AC swimming team. He attended Southern Illinois University on a swimming and track scholarship, where he qualified to swim in the US National Championships.
After a stint in the U.S. Army, he joined Sears Roebuck and Company, eventually becoming a store manager for Sears in Chicago, Illinois. Dave then moved to the warm weather of Vero Beach, Florida, and had a very successful career as a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley. Never letting work get in the way of his athletic abilities, Dave successfully competed in many 1 mile, 5K and 10K running races. Later in life, he also competed successfully in many USA Triathlon age group competitions; achieving 9 age group wins. In the 2006 USA Triathlon National Age Group Championship, he won third place male. In 2018, he took on an even bigger challenge by competing in the grueling 7-mile ocean swim around Lido Key Island off Sarasota, Florida.
Dave will be deeply missed by Victoria, his loving wife of 36 years, his son Derek, daughter-in-law Jennifer, and his grandchildren Maggie, Owen and Henrik of Arlington Heights, Illinois. He will also be missed by brothers Ken Winfield (Nancy) of Roswell, Georgia, and John Winfield (Heidi) of Pinehurst, North Carolina.
Dave will be buried this week at a private military funeral at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery. A celebration of life gathering will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Carol Ann Cruz, 66, Vero Beach
November 17, 1956 – April 26, 2023
Carol Ann Cruz, age 66, of Vero Beach, passed away on April 26, 2023.
She was born on November 17, 1956, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Carol was a graduate of Alexandria Senior High School, “Class of 1974” of Alexandria, Louisiana. Upon graduation she joined the United States Air Force, becoming an Air Traffic Control Operator.
Having a love for animals, throughout her life Carol worked as a veterinary technician.
She is survived by her mother, Audrey Cruz of Alexandria; her twin sister, Susan Cruz Groenwoldt and partner Gary Richards of Vero Beach; her brother, Ricky (Danette) Cruz of Alexandria; sister- in-law, Rachel Cruz of Austin, Tx; six nieces and nephews: Eddie (Shawna) Groenwoldt, Kristi Groenwoldt (Bobby), Ryan (Jordan) Cruz, Alexa (Greg)Berthelot, Charlie Cruz and Noel Cruz; and four great nieces and nephews, Jayden & Madi, and Georgia & Hayes.
Carol was predeceased by her father, Manuel Cruz, her brother David Cruz, her maternal grandmother “Gran” and numerous cousins, in England and Texas.
A family service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
From Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory
Mary Abeel Sullivan, 94
February 08, 1929 – April 27, 2023
Mary lived a full life which began 94 years ago and ended surrounded by family in Vero Beach, FL. She is survived by her son, Robert Brewster (Brenda), step-daughter Lynn Dooley (Jeffery), grandsons William Brewster (Beata), Mathew Brewster, Patrick Brewster (Maria), granddaughters Johanna Dooley and Rosie Dooley, and four beloved great-grandchildren Harrison, Theodore, Warren and Sophia Emma.
Mary was the cherished youngest child of a prominent Hackensack, NJ family along with three older siblings: Forster, Edith and Alice.
Mary touched the lives of many of her extended family members. She provided a steady homebase during difficult times for her nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
Mary married George Brewster, also of Hackensack, NJ, in the late 1940’s. George was the son of William John Brewster, the well known road contractor that built most of the highways and byways in Northern NJ.
Many remember Mary for her competitive spirit. Mary never participated; she dominated in her pursuits. Growing up, she was active in her local children’s theater and ice skating. Her love of horses followed, along with a passion for tennis and golf. In 1950, pregnant with her first child, William “Bill” Brewster, she began playing golf. By the time her second son Robert “Bobby” Brewster, was born four years later she was on her way to winning many titles in the Women’s New Jersey League. She also celebrated 8 consecutive wins as Arcola CC champion. Along the way, her third son John Forster Brewster was born in 1962.
Mary wed Robert “Sully” Sullivan in the early 1970’s which brought Sully’s children Jeff Sullivan and Lynn Dooley into the family. Sully and Mary shared a joyous life filled with much love.
Among Mary’s greatest joys were her grandchildren, William (Billy), Matthew and Patrick Brewster, and Johanna and Rosie Dooley. William and his wife Beata gifted her with three great-grandchildren Harry, Teddy and Warren. And finally, she was blessed with the gift of a girl, Sophia Emma, by Patrick and his wife Maria.
It is difficult to think of Mary without thinking of her Thoroughbred race horses. For over 35 years she bred, trained and raced in the most famous venues including Churchill Downs, Saratoga, Belmont and Gulfstream to name a few. Her horse “Get Stormy” will forever be honored as one of the great turf horses of his time.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to “Old Friends” Thoroughbred Rescue in Lexington, KY.
Visitation will be held on Monday, May 1, 2023, 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the CC Van Emburgh Funeral Home, 306 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450.
Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.
