Death Announced of Phyllis Murray McDowell, 99; Memorial Service to be Held in Old Lyme, Oct. 10

CHESTER — Phyllis Murray McDowell, mental health visionary, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, athlete, ballroom dancer, active listener and deep conversationalist, died on September 12, 2025 at her home in Chester, Connecticut. She was 99 years old.

Phyllis was born on July 1, 1926, in New York City to Arthur and Kathryn Murray, founders of the Arthur Murray dance studios …

She is survived by her four daughters, Kathryn P. Magown, Martha M. McDowell, Meg A. Smith, and Patience P. (Duby) McDowell, her sons-in-law Bruce F. Magown, O. Whitman Smith, and Joshua I. Wall, [seven] grandchildren … and five great-grandchildren …

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her honor to Fellowship Place in New Haven, Connecticut. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 10th, at 11am at First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, Connecticut.

Editor’s Note: Visit this link to read the full obituary published Sept. 17, 2025 in the Hartford Courant.