Carol McDowell

Carol Ann Lee McDowell, age 69 of Ymir BC, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on March 16, 2026, at Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson BC. After a long, courageous fight with cancer, Carol was welcomed back by the angels and now watches over us in spirit. 

Born in Calgary, Alberta, to Gail Girbav and Harry Barrett, she was raised on her family farm near Ellscott, Alberta. Her best childhood memories were riding her horse, Cheyanne, and baking or crafting with her grandmother. As a young woman, Carol married and shared her life with her high school sweetheart, Rob, raising two incredible daughters. She worked most of her career in Nelson, BC, at the law office of Nasmyth, Morrow, and Bogusz. She enjoyed the beautiful Kootenay days outdoors, gardening, skiing, and being surrounded by nature. She also enjoyed reading, researching natural healing, and cooking. She will be remembered for her kind nature and upbeat personality. She is survived by her loving husband, Robert McDowell, her daughters, Shelina and Michelle McDowell, her grandchildren, Jasmine, Dakota, Riley, Kyla, and Alexis, and her great-grandson, Meyer. As well as her siblings, Diana Brandt, Stewart Girbav, George Barrett, Diane Davies and her many friends. She will be dearly missed. 

A celebration of life will be held on May 17, 2026, at the Salmo Funeral Chapel.

Address: 120 Belmond Rd in Salmo, BC, starting at 1:00 pm.

All who felt touched by her life are encouraged to come.

If moved to do so, donations can be made to cholangiocarcinoma.org

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carol McDowell, please visit our floral store.