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We would like to take a moment to congratulate the McDowalls on their 50th Anniversary. A beautiful write up was put in the Alberni Valley News. Enjoy the article!

John and Patty McDowall celebrated their 50th anniversary at the Alberni Golf Course on July 21, 2024.

Family and close friends were invited to the afternoon event that had been planned by Patty and her daughter Heather along with assistance from Patty's son Michael and wife who made all of the decorations, son Jonathon and wife Annaliese who brought the champagne flutes for the toast. Family came from all over to attend this couple’s milestone and there was a lot of reminiscing.

Longtime friend Kathy Allen said grace before a light lunch buffet. All three of the McDowalls' children made a toast to the couple. John’s sister Ann also gave a toast. John and Patty’s toasting flutes were a gift for their 25th wedding anniversary from Edie Duvall and her late husband Mel.

After light refreshments there were photo opportunities and the rest of the afternoon was devoted to visiting with family and friends. 

Patty was one of nine children whose parents were the late Royce and Iris Morrison. “We moved here in 1964 from Quebec. Dad was living here and had found work in construction so Mom sold everything and we went by train across Canada," Patty recalled. "My big special memory was taking the ferry from Vancouver, I had never been on one before. Dad picked us up in Nanaimo. I attended Cherry Creek Elementary, Beaver Creek Elementary, A.W. Neill (now Tsuma-as Elementary) and graduated from ADSS in 1970.

“My chum in high school was Ann McDowall and that is how I met what was to be my future husband. John worked as an electrician and he went to Victoria in 1971 to get his red seal. I went to Vancouver Vocational School where I took bookkeeping. John and I started dating in 1972, got engaged in 1975 and married on April 6, 1974 in the All Saints Anglican Church by Reverend J.A.P. Daniels." Randy St. Claire was their best man and Patty's maid of honour was her sister Janet.

Patty worked in the credit union on Fourth Avenue from 1973-1976 when my first child was born, Jonathon, followed by Michael and then Heather.

“John went to work for the papermill in 1973, 1978 and 1979 until retirement in 2005. In between years John worked for Bailey Electric and Dillingham Construction. There was a lean time and that was when I went back to work for the credit union. I then went to work from 1981-1987 for Cherry Creek Waterworks. After that I was a stay-at-home mom.”

John was born in Birkenhead, England and was one of five kids. His parents were Leonard and Winnie McDowall. He attended Cherry Creek School, Alberni Elementary and A.W. Neill. He went to work at Franklin River, Alberni Pacific Division (APD), Sproat Lake and in 1966 became an electrical apprentice for Island Electric.

John joined the Freemasons in 1978 and he quickly rose in the ranks up to Master of the Barclay Lodge No. 90 in 1998. Another love was curling and a special memory was winning the 25th annual Legion Branch No. 169 bonspiel in 1975 while skipping his team.
Patty enjoys being a member of the Eastern Star that she joined in 1999. John played ball with the Challengers and coached the couple's children. 

“I taught Sunday School, was treasurer for the Brownies (now Embers) and Scouts when our children were members," Patty said. 

"John and I would like to give a huge thank you to our kids for their help with our special celebration. Many thanks to everyone that came from near and far to make this a day we will never forget and always treasure.”