Mary T. McDowell, a longtime resident of Rensselaer, NY passed away on Friday, August 18, 2017. She was the daughter of the late John McDowell and Mary Lannon McDowell both of Rensselaer, NY. Employed at the telephone company for many years in Albany, NY; Mary also actively participated in civic groups and church organizations. She was a longtime parishioner and lector at Historic St. Mary's Church on Capital Hill in Albany, NY. She volunteered at LaSalle Institute, LaSalle School for Boys and Van Rensselaer Manor in Troy, NY. She was a member of the Ladies of Charity and Ladies of Malta. Mary leaves behind her sister Catherine M. Brannan of Belmont, MA along with her nephew and nieces Jay Brannan (Michele) of Temecula, CA; Kara Murphy (Louie) of Newport, RI and Kerry Brannan of New York City. She also leaves behind her faithful friend Grace Evers of Troy, NY. Calling hours will be held at W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Ave, Rensselaer, NY on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at 8:30am - 9:30am. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Historic St. Mary's Church on Capital Hill, 10 Lodge St, Albany, NY Tuesday at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Van Rensselaer Manor, Activities Department, 85 Bloomingrove Dr., Troy, NY 12180.