Miriam Kuhn MacDowell

Miriam Frances Kuhn MacDowell, a resident of Oxford for 54 years, passed away on July 17, 2024. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, November 1, 1926, to William Conrad Kuhn and Ethel Ace Kuhn, Miriam graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville. She attended Wesleyan Conservatory of Music in Macon, Georgia and Queens College in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her sisters were: Louise Kuhn Currier and Naomi Kuhn Kriedlekamp. Her only niece, Katherine Frances Kriedlekamp, died in 2014. 

 At the beginning of World War II, Miriam met a young Navy recruit from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in training at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station. When he returned from service aboard an aircraft carrier, Norman MacDowell and Miriam were married. Together they walked the road leading to Norman’s ordination as a Presbyterian minister. They were married 61 years. Living in Richmond, VA, Statesville, NC, Gainesville, FL, Gastonia, NC, Salisbury, NC, and Oxford provided many cherished friendships. 

 Miriam began playing the Casavant organ at Oxford Presbyterian Church in 1976, followed by 21 years as organist and choir director, retiring in 1997. After her husband’s death in 2006, Miriam continued to make her home in Oxford. 

 Miriam was the mother of two sons: James Robin MacDowell (Elizabeth Gramento) of Virginia and Dr. Norman Martin MacDowell, Jr. (Susan Krebill) of Florida. Three grandchildren are: Paul MacDowell, Dr. Sarah MacDowell, and Rachel MacDowell. 

 Miriam served for two terms as Elder of the Oxford Presbyterian Church, was a member of John Penn Chapter, DAR, member of the Tuesday Study Club, member of the Presbyterian Women and was a teacher in the Kindergarten Class at the church. Her special hobby was genealogical research, going back several generations of her family line, as well as the history of her husband’s family. 

 A memorial service will be held at Oxford Presbyterian Church, conducted by Reverend Alan Koeneke on Thursday, July 25, 2024 at 11:00 am.  The interment will be at Sibley Memorial Gardens, Montreat, North Carolina. 

 Gifts may be directed to The Gifts and Bequests Fund of Oxford Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 652, Oxford, NC 27565. 

 Arrangements are under the care of Gentry, Newell & Vaughan Funeral Home of Oxford, NC.