Jean M. Downey, 91
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Jean M. Downey, 91, of Franklin Street died peacefully Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015, in her home, surrounded by her loving family
Born in North Adams on Jan. 25, 1924, daughter of Leo and Helen Dougherty Senecal, she graduated from the former St. Joseph's High School in 1941 and from North Adams State Teacher's College, now Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, in 1945 with a bachelor of science in education.
Mrs. Downey was a teacher in the North Adams Public Schools, first for six years at the former Freeman School until leaving in 1954 to raise her five children, then returning Johnson School and then Sullivan School, from which she retired as a Title 1 teacher in 1993. She first taught in Rocky Hill, Conn., for two years.
She was a lifelong communicant of the former St. Francis of Assisi Church. She was an active member of Court Margaret, Catholic Daughters, holding many of its offices and chairing many of its meetings. She was a band leader of the St. Francis Rosary Society.
She was a member of the Retired State, County, and Municipal Employees Association; the Massachusetts Teachers Retirement Society; the MCLA Alumni Association, and Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.
After her retirement, Mrs. Downey enjoyed working with crafts and had an amazing green thumb with her plants both indoors and outdoors. She enjoyed spending winters in Florida, reading, family picnics, spending time with her family and her brother's family. She was a real people person.
She and her husband, Michael Gerald Downey, were married on April 21, 1951.
Besides her husband, she also leaves four sons, Michael Downey and his wife, Susan, Timothy Downey and Christopher Downey, both of North Adams, and Patrick Downey and his wife, Jennifer, of Red Bank, N.J.; a daughter, Kathryn Stevener and her husband, David, of Bedford, N.H.; seven grandchildren, Staci, Kellyn, Keith, Sean, John, Owen, and Mei; a great-granddaughter Madalynn; nieces, nephews, and cousins, including Alfred Dougherty.
Her brother, William Senecal, died in 2012.
FUNERAL NOTICE — The funeral for Mrs. Downey will be Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 10:15 a.m. from Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Monday, Feb. 16, from 4 to 7 at the funeral home are Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Eileen Barrett Oncology Unit in care of the funeral home.