Freda Palmer McDowell

Heaven celebrated the return of Freda Palmer McDowell, 79, who passed away on April 14, 2024, surrounded by family. She was the youngest of six siblings born to Julian Palmer and Lucille Wilson on January 28, 1945. She grew up in the Ogden area and attended Ogden City Schools.

She married Clarence Edwin McDowell (Junior) on April 10, 1962, in Coalville, Utah. They have spent 62 years together making many cherished memories and caring for their family. Freda enjoyed going for drives through the canyons, especially when the beautiful Fall colors were on display, enjoying nature, shopping at specialty boutiques where she would pick out special and unique gifts for family members and friends, trips to Disneyland, fishing, cooking delicious meals and soups, volunteering at McKay-Dee Hospital and Crestwood Care Center, donating to endless charities, and worrying/caring about everyone around her. She would always remind us all of daylight savings time and to drive carefully when storms were coming through and was constantly asking about everyone and making sure we were ok. She was a homemaker for many years until her daughters were in high school. She taught us to work hard and leave things better than we found them.

She enjoyed working at Albertsons bakery for a brief period and held progressive positions for three government agencies (Internal Revenue Service, Defense Depot Ogden, and Hill Air Force Base) before retiring in 2006.

The most important thing to her was family and making sure her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were well taken care of and attending as many of their events as she could. She always recognized birthdays and holidays and put so much time, thought and effort into selecting meaningful cards and items and expressing her love. Her favorite time of year was the Christmas holiday season, and she loved the lights, the Spirit, spoiling her family with gifts, spending Christmas Eve with as many family members as could join and making sure she watched It’s a Wonderful Life. Her life was spent in the service of others and if she had any indication of a need, she would show up at your door, with dad in tow, delivering whatever she felt would bring comfort. She gave her best effort in everything she did, sacrificed for those around her, and was a perfect example of charity.

Freda was a little firecracker with a quick wit and a heart of gold. The last year of her life was difficult as Lewy Body Dementia advanced. The family would like to sincerely thank Dr. Trevor Squire and his staff (Roxy), the staff and caregivers at Fairfield Village Rehabilitation, Legacy House of Ogden, and CNS Home Health Care and Hospice Services (Bailey), for their professionalism but most importantly the compassion and loving way in which all these special people assisted us in helping our dear wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. We are thankful beyond words.

She was an awesome “little woman” who left a huge impact on our lives. Till we meet again – you’ll forever be in our hearts.

Freda is survived by her devoted husband, Junior; her two daughters, Tresa (Brian) Victor, Lisa (Todd) Kennedy; six grandchildren: Chris (Allisha) Scheffel, Jennifer Preisler, Michael (Ashleigh) Nistler, Jessica Nistler, Alec (Kelsey) Kennedy, and Austin (Kinzie) Kennedy; 11 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Lorraine Murray. She was preceded in death by her parents, Julian and Lucille; brothers, George and Jay; sisters, Delores and Jean; and great-grandchild, Jameson Thomas Nistler.

At Freda’s request, formal services will not be held. A family gathering will take place at a later date in her remembrance.