Sean Muldowney
December 24, 1963 - February 8, 2015
Sean Michael Muldowney
12/24/1963 – 2/8/2015
A Life Well Lived,
Sean Muldowney, 51, passed away at his home surrounded by family on Sunday, February 8, 2015 after a five (plus) year battle against brain cancer. Sean was born on Christmas Eve of 1963 in Manchester, CT to James and Kathleen Muldowney, of Raleigh, NC. The oldest of five children, Sean was busy, independent and precocious from the start. Passions in his early life were ski racing, exploring with friends, soccer and drumming. His family moved to North Carolina from Massachusetts his senior year in high school and he graduated from Charlotte Country Day School in 1981. This was the year he met his wife Henny, whom he married after college in 1985. Upon completing undergraduate and medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he went on to do his medical residency and fellowship at the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine in Saint Louis, Missouri. His three children Katie, Sean and Graham were born during these training years and added a new, joyful layer to their busy life.
During his 18 year career as a Neuro-Interventional Radiologist, Sean cared for and treated hundreds of patients in Saint Louis, MO, Jacksonville, FL, Concord and Charlotte, NC, and Salt Lake City, UT. He had a wonderful bedside manner with patients and their families, always empathetic and driven to meet their needs. Sean was incredibly intelligent, energetic and passionate about his work. He was not afraid to tackle challenging problems or situations, and thrived on pushing himself to remain on the cutting edge of new techniques and technologies. He drew admiration from colleagues across multiple medical and surgical specialties for his compassion, dedication and amazing expertise.
Always active, Sean loved the outdoors and lived by the credo "Go Big or Go Home!". He was an avid skier and also enjoyed mountain biking, road biking, riding anything motorized, shooting guns, hunting, fishing, canyoneering and working out. During the last five years, when he was no longer able to practice medicine, he volunteered at the National Ability Center, the Friends of Animals ranch, and as a mountain host at Park City Mountain Resort. He was able to enjoy the slopes and trails of beautiful Park City, traveling abroad and stateside with good friends, two Mulapalooza family gatherings at the beach, BroDawg weekends with his brothers, and numerous family milestones: graduations, big birthdays, and a wedding.
Sean is survived by his wife Henny (Heilman) Muldowney of Park City, UT; his children Katie Muldowney, Sean Muldowney, Jr. and Graham Muldowney; all of Park City, UT; parents Jim and Kathy Muldowney of Raleigh, NC; his brothers Kevin Muldowney and his wife Mondira of Waunakee, WI, and Dennis Muldowney and his wife Ai Lynn Gan of Tokyo, Japan; his sisters Maureen (Muldowney) Bross and her husband Guy Bross of Raleigh, NC, and Megan (Muldowney) Slocum and her husband William Jeffrey Slocum of Abu Dhabi, UAE; his father-in-law Ben Heilman of Centreville, MD; his brother-in-law Gibb Heilman and his wife, Kim of Charlotte, NC.
The Memorial Service will be held at Myers Park Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC on Friday, February 20th at 2pm, with a reception following at the home of David and Lisa Smoots.
A Celebration of Life (Irish Wake) will be held in Park City, UT at the home of Maura and Charlie Robbins on Friday, March 6th from 4-6pm.
The family would like to sincerely thank the staff at both the Huntsman Cancer Hospital and Applegate Home Care and Hospice for their compassionate care and invaluable support.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Brain Tumor Society, 55 Chapel Street, Suite 200, Newton, MA 02458. Their website is: braintumor.org.
In Loving Memory
Dear Henny, I feel honored to have met you, your husband and beautiful daughter at Maya's graduation. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family for your loss. Many hugs from the the town of tundra. ;) Hugs & Prayers, Sara
Sara Riha
Waunakee, IL
Dear Henny, You may not remember me...we met at Cannon School and at several gatherings at the Simonini's house. We now live in Pennsylvania. We are so sad to hear the news about Sean. Although I only met him once, I remember a kind man with a beautiful smile. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Love, The Micklin Family, Diane, Al, Matthew, Zach and Maya
Diane Micklin
Chadds Ford, PA
Henny, Sean was one of the most important people to me professionally during my early years in Concord. Neither during my earlier small town pulmonary practice, nor even during my training at Duke, did I have access to such expertise that allowed my patients to avoid surgery or transfer to another institution. The fact that he was cheerful and witty only added to the level of comfort he provided me at NE Medical Center. He made it seem effortless. I will always remember him. Prayers for you and your family going forward. Love, Gray and Kirby
Gray and Kirby Bullard
Concord, NC
Prayers are with the whole family during this very difficult time. He will be greatly missed.
Linda Champion
Kannapolis, NC
I was very saddened to hear of Dr Muldowney's passing. I worked with him at NE medical Ctr in Concord NC for 6 years. He was always very kind and an extremely intelligent man..it was an honor to have worked beside him.
Terry Dunn
Salisbury, NC
Dear Henny, We were so sorry to learn of Sean's passing. He was such a friendly man full of enthusiasm for life. We have fond memories of the many times we "hung out" with y'all in the early years, especially at birthday parties with little Katie and Louisa Ann. We hope you find some comfort in the wonderful memories you have. May the love and support of friends and family give you, Katie, Sean, Jr. and Graham strength during this time of transition. Y'all are in our prayers. Mary Stuart & Bill
Mary Stuart & Bill Alfano
Hillsborough, NC
Dear Muldowney Family, Please accept our heartfelt sympathy for you loss. We only have memories of Sean as a young tyke, but those were indicative of the man he would grow to be. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you in this beautiful family.
Gus & D'Ann Mazzocca
W. Hartford, CT
Henny, I've thought of you and Sean so much over the past year and a half! During my time at Huntsman, I met a lot of amazing people and couples, you and Sean were at the top of the list! Always looked forward to seeing you both and chatting! Wishing you and your family comfort during this time! Sending a hug and prayers your way!
Britney Hall
nan, nan
I met Sean in Miss Stump's Kindergarten class at Monroe Elementary School in Monroe, CT circa 1968. He was the first best friend I ever had. I have fond memories of exploring the backyard of his childhood home on Blueberry Lane. Sean was bigger than life. Even at the age of five, it was clear that he was meant to do great things and to inspire others along the way. My thoughts and prayers are with all the Muldowneys.
Mike Scanlin
Raleigh, NC
I was so sorry to hear the sad news of Sean's passing. I remember him well from long ago days in West Springfield. Heartfelt condolences to all who loved him.
Judy Connors Verespy
Chester, VT