Susan Joy Maturlo

MD medicine '72

An Alumni Travel Program Love Story

A Drexel Alumni Travel Program trip to Cuba in March 2015 truly proved to be "life changing" for Susan Joy Maturlo, MD '72. Assigned to an overflow group comprised of grads from Hamilton College, DePauw University, and Connecticut College, Sue's initial disappointment at being among the minority was quickly replaced by meeting an attentive gentleman the first night of orientation. Said gentleman was Charlie Dowd, a 1966 graduate of Hamilton College, semi-retired corporate executive, and a widow after 48 happy years marriage.

Maturlo, also widowed after a happy 30-year marriage to her husband Mike, wasn't looking for love, but the twosome started hanging out together on the tours and lectures and finally had a date night toward the end of the trip at the historic Hotel Nacional in Havana.

They stayed in touch after Cuba with home and away visits between Salt Lake City where Maturlo practices in endocrinology, and Lake Tahoe where Dowd lives. Soon the couple decided there was more to their relationship than just the rum and the music of Cuba.

Another Drexel alumni trip to the Amalfi Coast of Italy ensued in June, where Charlie proposed marriage overlooking Salerno Bay.

The sequel to the story is that they are to be married in a small family ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 24 in Incline Village, Lake Tahoe, where they will reside — Sue transferring her practice to the area and Charlie continuing Board of Director assignments. They look forward to joining in future Drexel-sponsored trips!

Learn more about the Drexel Alumni Travel Program's upcoming excursions to destinations including Holland and Belgium, Paris, Tanzania and more!