Mary Grace Downey

Mary Grace Downey was born in Orange, NJ on November 17, 1946, the second child of Stephen and Helen Downey, in a family that would grow to include fourteen children.  She graduated from Scituate High School in Massachusetts, and earned her undergraduate degree and a Masters in English from Bridgewater State College.  A lifelong lover of literature, Mary taught English in the Silver Lake Regional School District in Pembroke, MA for many years.  She loved the beaches of New England, but discovered an appreciation for the warmer beaches of Florida, making a home on Sanibel Island and then in Bonita Springs, where she created her own business as a seamstress.  Even as her memory faded, she continued to enjoy warm hugs, shared smiles, and long walks in Florida’s beautiful parks and beaches.

After a brief illness, Mary passed peacefully on December 2nd in Fort Myers, FL.

Mary is survived by her loving companion James Gore of Bonita Springs, FL; her son Michael Dunn of Syracuse, NY; her daughter Kathleen Dunn of New York, NY; her grandson Sean of New York, NY; the beloved children of her companion, Travers Gore of Bonita Springs, FL, Melissa Squires of Tecumseh, MI, Sadye Downy of Tecumseh, MI and Nathaniel Gore of Estero, MI, and James’ beloved grandchildren Ares, Marc, and Ella Grace; her sisters Theresa Duane of Scituate, MA, Ann (Bill) Banach of Ware, MA and Agnes Downey of Pingree Grove, IL; her brothers Stephen of Hingham, MA, John (Joy) of Nokesville, VA, William of Maine, Joseph (Ellen) of Chalfont, PA and David (Tracy) of East Providence, RI;  and many nieces, nephews, and caring friends.  Mary was preceded in death by her parents, and by her brothers Philip, Martin, Patrick, Vincent and James.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her memory to Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).