Lucinda Dowell, Longtime Westfield Resident,
Animal Lover and Professional Photographer
Lucinda Dowell, 90, a long-time Westfield resident and professional photographer, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2025, while surrounded by her family.
Lucinda Shelby Huff was born to Thomas D. Huff and Katherine Eakins Huff in Oceanside, New York, on July 22, 1934. When she was nine years old, the family moved to Scotch Plains, New Jersey. She had fond memories of friendships formed with neighborhood kids on the daily walk to school — a routine facilitated by WWII gas rations when driving a child to school was unthinkable. She attended every Scotch Plains High School reunion up through her 60th, along with a small, close-knit group of classmates.
At Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, she was bitten by the acting bug. After graduating with a degree in Theatre from Virginia Intermont College, Lucinda moved to New York City where she continued to study acting with Uta Hagen, a world-famous teacher. She performed in Summer Stock theater, landed roles in off-Broadway productions, and modeled for print and television advertisements.
A family friend introduced Lucinda to Julian C. Dowell, a successful New York art director, as a professional contact for her modeling work. Lucinda and Julian were married on January 17, 1959 at the Congregational Church in Westfield.
While raising 3 children in Westfield, Lucinda turned a photography hobby into a career. She practiced taking pictures of the children of friends, who in turn encouraged her to make a career of it. She took photo classes in New York City with professionals, such as LIFE Magazine photographer Yale Joel, and in the mid-70s Lucinda Dowell Photographs was born. From her studio on Canterbury Road and on location throughout New Jersey and the wider region, she photographed local families, school classes, weddings, politicians, and business people for over 40 years, until her retirement in 2015. She took lively, candid-style photos that captured the essence of her subjects because she was truly interested in getting to know people. If you sat for Lucinda, she would pepper you with questions, entertain you with her gregariousness, and tell a quirky story or two while snapping your picture. After retiring in 2015, Lucinda moved to Andover, Massachusetts, to spend her remaining years with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. She became one of the most well-loved members of the Andover Senior Center. And even without a camera in her hand, she captivated everyone, learned their personal stories, and told hers to them.
Lucinda is survived by her three children: daughter Sabina Dowell and her husband Charles Wendell of Andover, MA; son Jonathan Dowell of Scotch Plains, NJ; and son Jeremy Dowell of Plainfield, NJ. She also leaves behind two grandchildren: Crispin and Avery Wendell of Andover, MA. She is also survived by stepson William Dowell of Atlanta, GA, and stepdaughter Christina Fleur of Bedford, NY. She was predeceased by her husband Julian C. Dowell.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 1 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 125 Elmer Street, Westfield, N.J.
