15 entries
The Guest Book is expired.
|
 JoAnn Downes 81, Hospice Pioneer JoAnn Splon Downes, 81, a founder of Philadelphia's hospice movement and a woman of ever deepening love for her family and friends, died at her home Easter Sunday of Parkinson Disease. She was comforted by the presence and spirit of family gathered for the holiday. A resident of center city Philadelphia since 1985, she lived the previous 20 years in Merion, PA. Mrs. Downes earned a Master of Social Work degree in 1954 from Loyola University, Chicago, IL, after receiving her Bachelor's degree as a member of that institution's first class of women students. Her long career as a social worker began at Catholic Charities and the Veteran's Administration in Chicago, IL. After devoting eighteen years to raising her four children and supporting her husband in his career, she began two decades of social service to the Philadelphia area working at the University of Pennsylvania's Human Resources Center and Urban Institute as well as the Fellowship Commission. She served as the founding Administrator of the Hospice Program of Pennsylvania Hospital from 1978 to 1988, launching the area's first hospital-based hospice service that provided compassionate end-of-life care to patients and families during that particularly challenging era of the early AIDS epidemic. She spent the end of her career as a student advisor and expert lecturer on Hospice and Death & Dying studies at the University of Pennsylvania Schools of Social Work and Nursing from 1988 to 1997. JoAnn was always active in the Philadelphia area as a volunteer. She was active with the Main Line Fair Housing Council, working to eliminate discrimination in housing practices. She served with the Institute of Awareness at the Gershwin YMCA, raising the consciousness of women on issues of family and career. She was a member of the Board of Directors of AIDS and on the steering committee for the Search for Common Ground (SCG) Network. She was a Democratic Committeewoman in her precinct for many years and delivered meals to the Trinity Church soup kitchen for homeless people. She co-founded The Great Books group at the Philadelphia Institute Library. JoAnn found inspiration and guidance in her transcendent faith. She was a member of the Church of the Holy Trinity in recent years and a past member of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. Yet her devotion to the church was surpassed by her passionate belief that people of all faiths can rise to calls for justice and peace. In response to community turmoil of the 1960's and 1970's, she promoted constructive dialog among conflicting and polarized voices in pursuit of common goals and understanding. She was an early member of The Grail, an independent lay group focused on personal and community spiritual development. She helped establish the Panel of Philadelphians, a multi-faith and multi-racial woman's group advocating for ecumenical and inter-racial harmony. And until her passing, she conducted a Jewish-Catholic dialogue and bible study group. The greatest beneficiaries of JoAnn's love and grace were her husband and children, but also her wide circle of friends. Her deep friendships have lasted decades and she continued to make new friends this year. One friend summed it up best: "When JoAnn becomes your friend, she never lets you go". Born at the University of Chicago, JoAnn grew up in Glen Ellyn and Oak Park, IL. JoAnn married Dr. John J. ("Jack") Downes, in Oak Park, IL in 1956. They moved to Rosemont, PA when Jack started his residency in Anesthesiology at the University of Pennsylvania in 1959. They eventually settled in Merion, where they raised their family. In addition to her husband, JoAnn is survived by her children, Maggie Downes-Angus (Jeff Angus) and Kate Downes (Matt McGee), John Downes and Peter Downes (Ivana), former daughter-in-law Heather McCollum and former son-in-law Scott Nadel; grandchildren Jennifer, Katie, John, Jason, Jessica and Bruce; and brother David Splon of Chicago, IL. She is reunited with her late sisters Marguerite Cates and Dorothy Sorrells also of Chicago, IL. She is also survived by many devoted nieces, nephews and friends. She was the loving owner of her late Australian Terrier, Matilda. A Memorial Funeral Service will be held on Friday, April 13, at 11:00am at The Church of the Holy Trinity, 1904 Walnut St., Philadelphia. Relatives and friends may visit with the family at the Church after 10 AM. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Project H.O.M.E, Development Dept., 1515 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19130 or to The Parkinson Council, 111 Presidential Blvd. #250, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.
Published in Main Line Media News on April 11, 2012
![]() |
|
Bookmark this memorial on Facebook with the My Memorials™ application. My Memorials™ helps you honor departed family members, friends, and even favorite celebrities – all on your Facebook page.
|
Thank you. You have now memorialized on Facebook.
 |
The My Memorials Facebook app allows you to:
- Connect with memorials that are important to you.
- Get updates on your memorials in your Facebook News Feed.
- Share your memories with your Facebook friends.
|
|
|
|
You are searching
|
 |
|
|
