Ruth M. Downs

Downs, Ruth M. SLINGERLANDS Ruth M. Downs of Slingerlands entered into eternal life June 16, 2013 surrounded by her loving family. Born June 17, 1919 in Johnson City, N.Y. to Francis P. and Mary Sullivan Gilroy, Ruth was a graduate of Johnson City High School and Lowell's Business School. While working in Binghamton, she met Francis "Frank" Downs. They married in 1943 and raised their family in Great Neck, Binghamton and Delmar. Ruth was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and a dear friend. She loved bridge, golf, reading, crafts, cooking and entertaining, but most of all spending time with family and friends. Her deep faith in God, interest in others, humor and strength guided her long and blessed life. She was a communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Church and served its Altar Rosary Society for over forty years. She was a member of Normanside Country Club, the Bethlehem Progress Club and was a board of elections volunteer. Ruth was predeceased by her parents; sister, Rita Hawley and husband of 56 years, Frank. She is survived by her sister, Catherine Kocich of Johnson City; children, James F. Downs (Barbara McGovern) of Cohoes, Mary Ellen (Edward) Kuta of Delmar, Anita (Richard) Dunn of Saratoga Springs, Joanne (Neil) O'Brien of Delmar, John Downs M.D. of Baltimore, Md. And Betsy (Walter) Lohmann of Alexandria, Va.; adoring grandchildren, Colleen (Christina) and Brian (Jen) Dunn, Allison and John (Valerie) Kuta, Andrew, Reid and Kathleen O'Brien and Eileen, Emily and Walter Lohmann; and great-grandchildren, Wesleigh and Frances Dunn and Jack and Thomas Kuta. She is also survived by thirty nieces and nephews and a host of good friends. The family would like to extend deep appreciation to her loving friends and staff at the Terrace at Beverwyck and to the nursing staff at St. Peter's Hospital 4 Nolan and the Community Hospice Inn. Calling hours will be Thursday 4 - 8 p.m. at Durant Funeral Home, 741 Delaware Avenue, Delmar. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. Friday at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Delmar. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Johnson City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Thomas Church, 90 Adams Place, Delmar NY 12054.