Audrey Ann Fraley McDowell
Audrey Ann Fraley McDowell, 90, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
Born on October 22, 1935, in Fairchance, Pennsylvania. She made her home in the Lorain-Amherst area beginning in 1955, where she and her beloved husband built a life centered on love, devotion, and caring for their family.
Audrey was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Fairchance, Pennsylvania. She found her greatest joy in being a loving wife, devoted mother, and homemaker. Her family was the center of her world, and she took great pride in creating a warm and welcoming home filled with love, kindness, and treasured memories.
In addition to caring for her family, Audrey was employed by the Lorain City Board of Education and later by Nordson Corporation in Amherst. Through her dedication and strong work ethic, she faithfully served for a combined total of 25 years before retiring from Nordson in 1994.
She leaves behind a family who will forever cherish her, including her sons, Farley McDowell (Lynda) of Elyria; Rodney McDowell (Jolanda), of St. Henry, Ohio; and L. Mark McDowell (Patrice) of Amherst. She was a proud grandmother to Jamie (Brett) Martyn, Wesley (Sarah) McDowell, Jeremy (Jamie) McDowell, Tawnie (Jeremy) Murdoch, and Caitlin (Scott Shaw) McDowell, and a loving great-grandmother to her 12 great-grandchildren, Mia, Dimera, Dagny, Tristan, Arwen, Ever, Ben, Kate, Kynlee, Jack, Taylor, and Irie.
Audrey is also survived by her sisters, Sandra Teets of Amherst, Eleanor Bryner of Lorain, Ohio; her brother, Kenneth Fraley (Catherine) of Southern Pines, NC; and many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, Walter “Walt” McDowell; her brother, Ronald Fraley; sister Deborah Pruchnicki and her infant brother, Dennis Fraley; and her parents, Chester and Sarah Hess Fraley.
Honoring Audrey’s wishes, private services and burial will be held at Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery in Chalk, Pennsylvania.
Memorial contributions may be made to Amherst Historical Society or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Please visit the funeral home’s website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com.