Alma passed away peacefully with her daughter, Chris McDowell, at her side on Sept. 8, 2011, at Hospice House of Hummingbird Fields in Hayden. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Alma was born on April 28, 1923, in Tewksbury Township, N.J. to Minnie and Leslie Apgar. She grew up in Cokesbury, N.J. with one brother, Harold (Malvena) Apgar (both deceased) and two sisters, Shirley Colontone (Joe, deceased) of Neshanic Station, N.J. and Doris (Bill) Conover, of Bath, Pa. While residing in Cokesbury, N.J., Alma was an active member of the Cokesbury Methodist Church.

She married Adrian McDowell on Jan. 8, 1941. They had six children: Carl (Judy) McDowell, of Hampton, N.J.; daughter Chris McDowell, of Coeur d'Alene; Duane "Skip" (Louise) McDowell, of Belvidere, N.J.; Milton "Bud" (Janet) McDowell, of Richmond, Va.; Kevin (Penny) McDowell, of Fairview, N.C.; and Louanne Rutherford, of Consett, England.

Alma also leaves behind 13 wonderful grandchildren, 21 delightful great grandchildren and one wonderful great, great granddaughter.

Alma was a stay-at-home mom until 1966 when she became employed at Lipton Tea Co., Flemington, N.J., in the quality control department. She met her best friend, Betty Hisko, at Lipton and for the following 22 years, Alma, Betty, and four other friends would spend a week each summer at the beach at Seaside Heights, N.J. They were usually joined by another dozen or so friends and family at various times during the week. They would have a joyous good time.

Alma retired in April 1988 at which time Alma and her husband, Adrian, moved to beautiful Coeur d'Alene. Adrian passed away on Dec. 8, 1991, at Kootenai Medical Center.

When her daughter, Chris, moved to Idaho in 1992 and joined Alma at her residence in Coeur d'Alene, Alma enjoyed the countless road trips she and Chris made to most every state in the country. When not traveling, Alma enjoyed the quiet life at home: Reading celebrity biographies and mystery novels, cross-word puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, gardening, and playing board games with family. She enjoyed playing miniature golf and following professional golf on television. She enjoyed musical theater and was a season ticket holder to the Coeur d'Alene Summer Theater. Each day when Chris would return home from work at Kootenai Humane Society, Alma would delight in hearing about the wonderful animals. Alma supported Kootenai Humane Society in a variety of monetary ways.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, at English Funeral Chapel, 1700 N. Spokane St., Post Falls, ID 83854. You may also sign the guest registry at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Kootenai Humane Society, P. O. Box 1005, Hayden, ID 83835.