Joan W. Downes' Obituary
Joan W. (Woodworth) Downes, age 94, a Beebe retiree, passed away peacefully in her daughter's home in Milton, DE.
Joan Woodworth Downes was born Joan Woodworth, on August 10, 1912 in Cleveland , OH. After losing her parents and identical twin sisters in a flu epidemic in 1918, Joan was raised by her Aunt & Uncle who ran a health food store. She always attributed her long and healthy life to her vegetarian upbringing. She was widowed by John Schoch Downes in 1956.
Joan graduated from Catholic High School in 1926 at the age of 14. She was one of three female students at the University of Wisconsin where she eventually majored in medicine. She was the only woman to do so at that time. After losing her fiance in her last year of pre-med, she quit and moved to New York where she met her husband, John Downes, a prosecuting attorney. They moved to Rehoboth, DE in 1938.
They built their home on Tidwater Street in Henlopen Acres where they raised their five children.
Mrs. Downes is survived by her children; JoAnne Downes Whealton, Milton, DE, John Michael Downes, Rockhall, MD, Dana Downes Long, Milton, DE, Lucy Downes Casey, Cocoa Beach, FL and Oliver Lee Downes, Milton, DE;
She is also survived by grandchildren
Laura Downes, Lewes, DE,
John Michael Downes, Jr. of Dagsboro, DE,
Dara Downes Hearn, Lewes, DE,
Chris D. Long, Lewes, DE,
Randy D. Long, Millsboro, DE,
Natalie Downes Doney, Annapolis, MD,
Bridget Downes Buchaloo, Lewes, DE,
Amy Downes Baker, Oklahoma CIty, OK,
Molly Downes Foraker, Salisbury, MD,
Jeremy James, Orlando, FL,
Kate Downes Walker, Georgetown, DE,
Matthew Downes Long, Rehoboth Beach, DE;
Carol Downes Zigman of Sussex County, DE
Debbie Downes, of Sussex County , DE
and twenty-six great grandchildren.
Graveside Services will be held at Epworth Methodist Cemetery , Rehoboth Beach,Delaware on Tuesday, October 24, 2006 at 1:00 PM with Delaware Hospice Chaplain Doug Albert officiating. There will be no viewing.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations be made to Beebe Medical Center Foundation, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958, or to the SPCA, 22918 duPont Blvd., Georgetown, DE 19947 or Charity of Choice.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes, DE
Online condolences to:[email protected]
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