Cherishing Charlie Ann McDowell: Planting Memory

For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Jenna, a dear friend of Charlie Ann McDowell, who was a most cherished friend herself. When we lost Charlie suddenly last October, our community spiraled into a state of shock, disbelief, and deep mourning for the loss of a beloved daughter, mother, and friend. Since then, we have held a small memorial in her honor as well as holding her close to our hearts. Everyday we do our best to honor her, we miss her, and carry her with us through it all. It was her love that called so many of us to her light like moths to a great flame. Her love still burns within each one of us and we will continue to carry those torches for her.

Charlie and I went on daily walks together through Cheeseman Park – one of Denver’s oldest and most elegant parks in the city. Now when I come back, the trail seems so much longer when it’s just me walking the paths alone. We would talk about everything and nothing and I would always leave feeling so light, refreshed, and already excited about meeting up for the next one. Samantha Neilson, a friend and coworker of Charlie, and I took a couple laps around Cheeseman and talked about starting this GoFundMe when we were arrested by the most beautiful pink flowers blooming from elegant silver branches. We approached the newly blooming tree and took a few photos. When we looked up the species of tree, we were shocked to find that it was called an Ann Magnolia Tree. We knew that Charlie was there with us and this was the sign we needed to go ahead and take the next steps.

I am starting this GoFundMe to raise money for the planting of a tree in Cheeseman Park. The Park People is a private/nonprofit organization working with communities to plant trees and improve parks for a healthy, resilient future and we would be able to plant a Tree for Charlie in one of her favorite places. The Park people only plant trees during the months of March and October and the deadline to request a memorial tree is July 31st, 2025 to secure an October planting. The purchase price of a tree is $500 and anything that is donated over that amount will go directly to a support fund for Charlie’s son, Murphy. These funds will be put toward his college fund, potential medical expenses, or anything that may possibly ensure his safety, happiness and wellbeing.

Once, I put in a request and hear back from the Park People, I will provide more information for the gathering and planting of Charlie’s Tree in October of 2025 <3

Thank you so much for your donations