Nan Coates McDowell
Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Aunt & Friend
January 2, 1913 - May 10, 1999
Nan Coates McDowell moved to High Springs, Florida, with her parents and family in 1929. She was the oldest of seven children. She joined the Presbyterian Church with her husband in the 1930's. She served as a Sunday School teacher, was a member of the choir for 60 years and an active member of the Women of the Church and an Elder. She was a member and a past president of the Junior Woman's Club and the New Century Woman's Club.
Nan helped to establish the first public library in High Springs and was a charter member of the Friends of the Library. She was the co-founder of the High Springs Historical Society, serving two years as president. She was a member of the Northeast Florida Hemophilia Foundation and was a Board Member of the Alachua County Crippled Children's Commission. Nan was honored by the community in 1990, when she was named Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce.
"Hi-Lites", was Nan's weekly column in the High Springs Herald which began in 1940, was the "highlight" of many people in the service in World War II bringing them closer to family and friends. This weekly column continued into the 1970's at which time the name changed to "Profiles", where she interviewed people in out community telling their life story. Her last article was: The Three Faces of High Springs.
For ten years Nan served as the Hospitality Hostess of High Springs greeting new residents into the area and becoming the first friend of many.
Nan lived by this creed: "If I am needed I will be there."
Music:
On Eagles Wings