Postmaster Laura McDowell Retires After 34 Years of Service
Fillmore Resident Laura McDowell
Fillmore Resident Laura McDowell

Fillmore resident Laura McDowell began her career back in 1991 at the Fillmore Office Post as a part time rural carrier, and
the next thing you know she had learned every operation, including management. From that point on she would be sent out on
detailed assignments as a supervisor to various offices such as Northridge, North Hills, and Simi Valley. This experience
allowed Laura to develop and fine tune her style.

Eventually, she became Postmaster of the Santa Paula Post Office where she was often sent out to become Officer-in-Charge of
surrounding cities. She oversaw Ventura, Simi Valley, and Oxnard Post Offices.

After a 10-year stint in Santa Paula, she made the decision back in 2023, to return to the Fillmore office, a full circle
from where it all began. She took on the position of Postmaster of Fillmore as she knew that she would soon be retiring. It
was her mission to clean-up and organize the office before she retired, and she feels as though she has done just that.

Laura grew up in Fillmore and was very involved in her school. And as her children grew, she and her husband Kirk always
participated with youth sports in the community.

Laura is known by many in Fillmore for her passion, teaching all ages to swim. She has spent the last 38 years providing
lessons, affecting multiply generations. The post office can be very demanding, and Laura will tell you that there is no
better remedy to offset a tough workload than to watch someone conquer their water fears.

With retirement will come with great ambitions of home improvements, travel, rest, relaxation, and, of course, she will
continue offering her swim lessons.

The post office has been very good to Laura. She has seen many changes and wants to let everyone know that the job is not
easy and the employees here in Fillmore give it all they’ve got. She will miss the crew and wishes them the best in their
postal careers.