Jeanne M. (Dowling) Carey

ATHOL- Jeanne M. (Dowling) Carey, 72, of Athol, passed away in Lowell, MA peacefully late Sunday evening, November 9, 2025.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, on May 2, 1953, she was the youngest, beloved daughter of the late Bartholomew and Rita (Connor) Dowling. Jeanne was educated in Lynn, Massachusetts at St. Mary's High School, class of 1971, and later graduated from Bryant and Stratton in 1973. Jeanne came to Massachusetts in 1994 from the Midwest with her two sons who have both called the area home for much of their lives. On March 12, 2005, Jeanne married Bruce M. Carey and enjoyed over 17 years of marriage until his death on January 27, 2023. In 2016, Jeanne became a grandmother to her eldest granddaughter Clare Turner (9) and later in 2018 a grandmother to her second grandchild, Margo Turner (7).

She is survived by her eldest son, John Turner of Lowell, his wife, Tara (Martin) Turner, and grandchildren, Clare (9), and Margo (7); her youngest son Matthew Turner of Newark, Delaware; her sister, Anne (Dowling) Petelle and her husband, Thomas Petelle of Wilmigton, MA. She is survived by her sisters-in-law Ruth (Chapman) Dowling, of Ohio, and Liane (Ludwig) Dowling, of Arizona, as well as her brothers-in-law, from Massachusetts, North Carolina, and California, along with many nieces and nephews. 

In addition to spending time with her family, Jeanne enjoyed reading, watching Red Sox games and NASCAR races with her late husband, Bruce Carey. Jeanne was an animal lover, always having a cat or dog as a companion in the house over the years. Jeanne was a hard worker much of her life carrying a wide range of jobs, lastly as a Van Pool Monitor for a number of years. Jeanne enjoyed her job and the time spent with the children she helped get to school each day.

Jeanne was predeceased by her parents, husband, and brothers, Richard Dowling (Ohio) and Michael Dowling (Arizona), and sister-in-law, Brenda (Carey) Thompson.

Her funeral, a Mass of Christian Burial, will be held on November 25, 2025 at 10 a.m., at St. Mary’s Church, 19 Congress Street in Orange with Fr. Mark Glover officiating.

There will be no calling hours in keeping with Jeanne's wishes.

 Interment will follow in Silver Lake Cemetery, Athol.

In memory of Jeanne M. Carey, and in lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Lowell Humane Society, 951 Broadway Street, Lowell, MA 01854.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family as they say goodbye to their beloved mother and sister.

WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

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