Iva Helen (Cole) Dowd left this world on Nov. 12, 2008, after a long illness. Iva, at her request, died at a family home, in Kennebunk, surrounded by her loved ones. Born Dec. 21, 1917, in Oakfield, Aroostook County, Iva was the daughter of Fredrick and Grace (Gerrish) Cole. At the age of 5 she moved to Kennebunk, York County, with her family where she grew up. Iva graduated from Kennebunk High School in 1937. After high school, she fulfilled her dream of becoming a Registered Nurse graduating in January of 1941 from Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia, Pa. She is the widow of Eugene (Gene) John Dowd Sr., who was a 20 year career member of the Philadelphia Police Force, retiring as a Lieutenant. After retiring form the police force, Mr. Dowd became an Auditor for the State of Pennsylvania. They were married on Jan. 25, 1941, in Philadelphia. They raised their family of seven children in Pennsylvania and enjoyed a wonderful and loving marriage of 55 years until his death on April 20, 1996. Iva is remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She cared for others, putting them first, before herself. She took great pride in her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren and loved spending summers at her summer home in Kennebunk. She never lost sight of her upbringing in a large family, on a farm, and always helped out others in any way she could. She enjoyed returning to Oakfield with her mother and siblings for visits with the loved ones they left there. One of her greatest joys was being a Nursing Supervisor at Doctor's Hospital and West Park Hospital in Philadelphia, Pa. Mrs. Dowd also had a passion for American History. She was a descendant of John Howland, of the Mayflower, Capt. Nathan Daggett, of the Continental Navy during the American Revolution and William Gerrish of the 20th Maine Regiment during the Civil War. She took great pride in her great uncle Theodore Gerrish (20th Maine Regiment during the Civil War) and the books that he authored on the Civil War.