Joan M. Downey

JOAN M. DOWNEY

Joan M. Downey, 82, of Oxford, CT passed away Friday, April 8, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Joan was born in New York City, the second of six children to Hugh and Mary (O’Reilly) Kelly. She grew up in Brooklyn, NY and attended St. Anthony’s School, The Mary Louis Academy and St. John’s University.

Joan joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation and worked in New York City. During her dedicated career with the FBI she met her husband, John. They married in 1963 and lived in Yonkers, NY for 40 years before moving to Oxford.

Joan took great enjoyment in being able to provide her family with a home environment that was attractive, organized and most importantly, full of love. Her thoughtfulness was apparent to all she knew. She always remembered birthdays, anniversaries and even the small special occasions of friends and family alike. Her good-natured gentleness, positive outlook, superior listening skills and compassion were attributes that endeared her to all.

Joan was the loving wife of 54 years to John, who predeceased her in 2017. All who knew Joan would agree that she considered her marriage and four daughters to be her greatest accomplishment.

Joan was the devoted mother of Kathryn Downey (John Bellew), Mary (Michael) Ledwidge, Eileen (Timothy) Barton, and Jean (Daniel) Alexander. Joan was the proud and cherished grandmother of eleven: Keelan (Mary Lucey) Ledwidge, Cara (David) Lawton and Brynna Ledwidge; Aidan, Siobhan, Shane and Carina Barton; and Emma, Hannah, Katie and Ryan Alexander. Joan was thrilled to be a great grandmother to Ewan and Nora Lawton and to John Ledwidge.

In addition to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Joan is survived by her sisters: Eileen Kelly, Kathleen (Lawrence) Byrnes, Sheila (Kevin) O’Keefe, Una (Paul) Fitzpatrick, and her brother, Edward (Catherine) Kelly. Her beloved parents, with whom she is now reunited, predeceased her. Joan also leaves behind many sisters- and brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

Joan was an amazing woman who devoted her time to faith, family and service. She was an active member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Oxford and a generous supporter of numerous charities. She loved gathering to visit with family and friends. Above all, Joan loved her God, her family and her country. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

The family will receive visitors at the Munson-Lovetere Funeral Home in Southbury, CT on Tuesday, April 12 from 3-5 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, April 13 at 10 a.m., at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Oxford, CT, followed by internment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla, NY. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Friedriech’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) in Joan’s name would be greatly appreciated.

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