O’Dowd, Dolores Harmon, 88 of Pleasantville, died suddenly on February 27, 2018. She was born in Atlantic City to John and Margaret (Heneghan) Harmon, both natives of Ireland. A graduate of Holy Spirit High School, she married John (Jack) O’Dowd in 1952 and had five children. Jack’s career in the US Navy took the family to Tennessee, Florida, Virginia and Maryland before they returned “home” and settled in Pleasantville in 1962. Dolores would reside in that beloved home until her death, 56 years later.

After raising her family, she was employed by Bally’s Park Place as a Pit Clerk Supervisor from 1979 until her retirement in 1993. She was employed by Weight Watchers from 2000 until 2010. She was an active member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Absecon, the FAA Tech Center Women’s Club, and served as a board member and volunteer for Child Federation of Atlantic City. In 2001 she was named Mother of the Year by American Mothers International.

Intensely proud of her Irish heritage, she was known for her cozy home and warm hospitality. That’s where you could always find a pot of tea brewing and her famous Irish soda bread. She also had a keen and timeless fashion sense and was always beautifully dressed. In earlier years, she sewed a lot of the clothes worn by herself and her daughters. She carried herself with great style and grace and never felt fully dressed without a hat! Always one to keep up with the times, she used an iPhone, an iPad and practiced yoga. In addition, she always retained her interest in interior design and continued to redecorate and refresh her home until her death.

Dolores was predeceased by her parents, brothers John and Bill Harmon, husband Jack and her son-in-law Wayne Melnik. She is survived by: Her children: Dennis (Madeleine) O’Dowd of Havertown, PA; DeeDee Melnik of Smithville, NJ; Thomas (Renee) O’Dowd of Elsinboro, NJ; Andrew (Joan) O’Dowd of Philadelphia PA; and Maureen (John) Woodruff of Merchantville, NJ. Grandchildren: Meghan, Sean, Liam, Andrew, Juliet, Olivia and Jade. Great grandchildren: Ian, Maeve and Margaret. And many, many O’Dowd and Harmon relatives. She was well loved and much admired and will be missed by all who knew her.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, March 5th at 11:00am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 591 New Jersey Avenue, Absecon. A viewing will be held from 9:00am until 10:30am at the church. Entombment will be held in Holy Cross Cemetery, Mays Landing.