Doris Downs
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Henrietta: Wednesday, March 3, 2010. Predeceased by her husband, William J. Downs; brothers, Vincent List, David List; sisters, Gloria Laird, Jean Henson; brother-in-law, Clifford Henson; sister-in-law, Rose List; son-in-law, Thomas LeBeau. Survived by her son, John (Susan) Downs; daughter, Ann LeBeau; grandchildren, Kelly Downs, Jon Michael (Danielle) Downs, Clifford (Conni) LeBeau; Corrie Henry; great-grandchildren, Timithy, Kolin & Brady Henry, Michael & Brodan Downs, Kiera LeBeau; sisters, Audrey (Jack) Smith, Carol (Leo) Wielgos, Mary Pat Giannavola; brothers, Paul (Myrna) List, William (Beverly) List; sister-in-law, Jean List-Johnson; brother-in-law, Arthur Laird; many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Doris loved spending time with family and friends. Friends may call Friday 5-8 at the Vay-Schleich & Meeson Funeral Home 1075 Long Pond Road. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday 10:00 AM at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in her memory. For more information or to sign Doris’s guestbook, please visit www.MeesonFamily.com.
All of us in the Nystrom family will miss Doris. Always open to us and always our friend, she was very special to Sharon, Brant, Lori, and me. She always welcomed us to her family events both at the lake and in her new home. She and Bill usually had a snack waiting for me when I got to our place on Seneca Lake after work on Friday. We shared lots of laughs. We’ll remember her forever. Our sympathy goes out to her entire family.
Dear John,Ann and families Our entire families thoughts and prayers are with you. Our hearts are heavy at the loss She has left a big hole in our lives. We are so thankful for all the memories we have of your parents. We are so glad she went peaceably and family was with her. May God Bless and care for her now and take care of all you. Love Aunt Carol and Uncle Leo
Our sympathy to Doris’ family on losing such a vibrant lady. Doris was a happy person who truly loved life! She will be missed. Carol (Brennan) Perrin* and Larry Perrin (*Doris’ cousin, Bob Brennan’s, daughter)
Susi and John, We are so sorry for your loss and know we are with you in thought and prayers. Leo ahs many fond memories of Doris all the rides to St. Charles school to name one. Take care we Love you guys . Leo and Marie
The Long family is thinking of you all during this difficult time for you. We so sorry. Prayers are with you. Rob, Julie, and the girls
To John, Suzie and family and Ann and family–We are sorry for your loss. We will miss Aunt Doris. We enjoyed our visits with her both in New York and in Florida. We had lots of fun talking about soap operas and sports, enjoyed a Disney weekend with her and Uncle Bill, and all the good times at the lake in New York. One more star is lit in heaven! Love, Sue,Keith,Derek and Dana Brownewell
WE TOOK DORIS TO THE HOSPITAL AND WATCHED HER QUICKLY SLIP FROM US. WE ARE SORRY THAT SHE PASSED SO QUICKLY IN FRONT OF US AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE EXCEPT TO KEEP HER COMFORTABLE. WE WILL MISS HER CONSTANT WORDS OF WISDOM AND HER CONCERNS FOR OTHERS IN GOOD TIMES OR BAD. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS WILL BE WITH YOU DURNG THIS TRYING TIME.
We will miss you Aunt Doris.
Written by Jon & Danielle and read by Kelly at toady’s funeral service: As I sat down to write some words of reflection upon our grandmother’s life and my perception of it I am still in a bit of shock. Not because her passing happened so fast (because I preferred this path as opposed to what grandpa went through) ‘¦ but because I had envisioned that when this time would come, it would come with a fierce fight from her. Perhaps God knew that this was the easiest approach since Grandma Doris was not one to compromise when she had her mind set on something. I think of the many conversations that we had and how she was never shy about sharing her beliefs on a topic. While I disagreed more than agreed with her, I always appreciated her willingness to share and hear her perspective. Some people may characterize Grandma as headstrong and traditional, but I appreciated those characteristics and what she went through in her life. She was the oldest of ten children and had to see four of her younger siblings leave this earth before her. She grew up in a time of the Great Depression and World War II that I hope no one ever has to see the likes of again. I am not sure a generation like Grandma’s will ever see change in our country over a lifespan like hers did. Consider for a moment the social, economic, and technological changes that she witnessed over her lifespan. Surviving all of that and living the fruitful life she did is an accomplishment in itself. I think that Grandma Doris earned the right to be opinionated ‘¦ and yes, sometimes stubborn. On a lighter note, perhaps her greatest accomplishment is one that she may be the only person to lay claim to, getting my father to eat onions and a variety of other vegetables, a man who can be iron-willed like his mother. I know he felt the same challenge when he tried Grandma to embrace the word ‘accept’ in relation to other people who may have a different lifestyle then her own. Perhaps you saw it written on piece of scrap paper or post-it note sitting her window sill in the kitchen. There are many memories that we will cherish about her. That red tin in the pantry that was always full of snacks, the spring in her step after she had just been to the hairdresser, the consistency of her cards in the mail, or the way she referred to soap opera characters as though they were over for dinner last night. Unlike myself, Grandma was not a touchy-feely type of person. However, she always embraced my ambition to invade her personal space. I can remember on many frigid mornings hopping in bed unsolicited between her and grandpa at the lake. I received the same snicker and look from her that I got when I curled up next to her on the couch as most recently at our house this past January. There are not many certainties that we have in our lives and it sometimes takes the fragility of life to remind us of this. With the suddenness of Grandma’s passing I never got a chance to say words to her that I might otherwise if I knew this was coming. I am okay with that because one thing that I am certain of is the love that we had for each other. Grandma knew that we loved her ‘ that our kids loved her ‘ and that we were very appreciative of all that she did for us and our boys. We love you Grandma ‘¦. enjoy reuniting with Grandpa ‘¦ are you ready for her Bill?