Kristine Marie Guy (McDowell), 64, of Fort Myers, FL, died Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019, at Consulate Health Care of North Fort Myers.Born Oct. 6th, 1954, in Sandwich, IL, the daughter of Paul Robert and Shirley Marie (Foster) McDowell Read Obituary
Kris was my cousin whom I adored, who always had a big smile and a cheery word for everyone. We just lived a few miles apart, and went to the same Rollo Grade School and Shabbona High School, and shared a lot of family gatherings, camping experiences, and horse back riding adventures. I don’t ever remember Kris being negative about anything. She was always positive, smiling, and a joy to be around. Kris’s memory will live on in me, and in all who knew her.
I met Kris at New Hope Church in Naples, FL. Not only was she a dear friend but we shared the same birthday October 6th. She reminded me yearly that I was one year older!!!! We met in 1988 at singles at church. She had many get together’s at her mom and dad’s house on 8th street in Naples. Countless dinners together with much fun and laughter.She became the sister that I asked my mom and dad for ever Christmas when I was 10, but never got.Once she made her mind up that was it. She encouraged me to pray at loud but I kept saying I can’ She never gave up on me. Kris loved to give gifts it truly was here love language.She lived to praise the Lord and loved being in his presence. Will never forget the day my dad passed away and she found out. She came to Cape Coral hospital and later shared with me that she had seen two angels take my dad to heaven. We both loved our dad’s so dearly.Well give my dad a hug and kiss. I will miss you so very much.
I remember the first time I met Kris, it was at a friend of my son and her daughter on a trampoline, when they were 2 years old well she said who is Micheal’s parents. I said I am his mother. She watched them and from that day on her daughter and my son were besties, she loved him like a son and I loved Gabrielle as a daughter. I always knew in Kris’s hands my son would be fine. One time his finger was hurting, they were shooting a football back and forth. She told me and he had gotten bitten by a recluse spider but I am sure at my house, And Gabrielle got injured at a soccer game, she trusted Gabrielle with me also. She was so loving with everyone she met. We took our kids to Tampa Busch Gardens, and we let them play in the extra room. She just loved everyone, but would question them if they didn’t agree. I miss her messages on home phone because if she couldn’t finish, she would call back and finish. God has another angel with him now. Love and miss you.
Oh my sweet, dear and selfless Kris. You are so precious to me. I’ll never forget you and the impact you had on my life and my daughters. When I returned to Florida and attended the first service I could, you knew I needed you. I remembering worshipping and rubbing my very pregnant belly and you came from nowhere and introduced yourself. In that moment, you joined me in worship and this began our beautiful journey. I remembering you telling me, you felt the Lord lead you to me and every encounter we had, you encouraged me with words of wisdom, your smile …. and oh those hugs … I loved them! You shared with me about your amazing daughter and I soon had the opportunity to meet and quickly understood why you had such adoration for her. She’s as beautiful as her mother. You visited me in the hospital to meet my miracle baby and then came to the house afterward. I can’t begin to explain how I’ll miss you but even now, as we walk through this difficult chapter, you’re still encouraging me because I know your in heaven with our Father and I’ll see you soon. Keep me seat warm my sweet friend, we have some worshipping to do with the King of Kings. I love you and can’t wait to see you again.
Kris was my sister. Her warmth and love lit the world as much as the McDowell smile. We believed our mothers were born 3 years apart, we were born 3 days apart, and we said, true or not, 3 cribs apart at the Sandwich hospital. we told Shirley we were her “ other twins” and truly believed we connected in our hospital basinettes . When Kris played the piano, believing she was alone, the music reflected the lowest depths and the highest peaks. Gabrielle was the love of her life and she was so proud of her as well as Paula and RosKs girls. She went to Heaven praising the Father and the Son.
Our deepest sympathies to you all. Kris will be missed. I graduated with Kris’ sister Paula, and spent lots of time at their house in Rollo (with the spiral staircase!) We were all in band together too. I got to ride horses at their house which was scary for me but Kris really helped me through! I cannot remember anybody from my past that had bigger and brighter smiles than the McDowell girls. Rest peacefully Kris… XOXO
Safely Home by Author UnknownI am home in heaven, dear ones; Oh, so happy and so bright. There is a perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light.All the pain and grief is over, every restless tossing passed; I am now at peace forever, safely home in heaven at last.Did you wonder I so calmly Trod the valley of the shade? Oh, but Jesus’ love illuminated Every dark and fearful glade.And He came Himself to meet me in the way so hard to tread; And with Jesus’ arm to lean on could I have one doubt or dread?Then you must not grieve so sorely, for I love you dearly still. Try to look beyond death’s shadows; Pray to trust our Father’s will.There is work still waiting for you, so you must not idly stand. Do it now, while life remaineth; you shall rest in Jesus’ land.When that work is all completed, He will gently call you home; Oh, the rapture of that meeting; Oh, the joy to see you come!To Gabby,You are such a bright, beautiful soul with so many fabulous things held in your future. I am certain you mother was and is very proud of you as she looks down upon you from heaven. I only met your mother a few times during our time at Florida Gulf Coast University, however her joyful and spunky spirit never faded from my memory.I can recall with a smile and a giggle of the time she liked one of my paintings, took off the wall to inspect for evidence of ownership and then swiftly tucked it under her arm and walked out. You ran after her yelling something like “Mom no you can’t have that!”There was another instance of meeting Mrs. Guy where she was more than happy to give me clothes that were a gift for someone else but were accidentally the wrong size. She didn’t have to give them to a total stranger, afterall they were brand new and she could shave simply returned them, but she knew I would appreciate it.Your mom certainly wasn’t scared of telling a person what she thought, it didn’t matter it was something she really liked or really didn’t. Regardless of the type of sentiment she would always express it wholeheartedly, without a lick of animosity or ill will. Every time I had the pleasure of seeing Mrs. Guy she naturally emanated kindness as exemplified with the gift described above to a poor college kid. The last thing i can say about your mom with absolute certainty, was how much she loved and adored you. Afterall she named you gabrielle meaning ( from what I have looked up) “woman of God”, “God is my strength” or simply “the herald of good news.” From what I can see you were a true blessing in her life. I love you and am so incredibly sorry for your loss. If you need anything, anything at all just let me know. Love, Jess
