Elizabeth W. Downey

Elizabeth W. Downey Daughter-in-law of U.S. Senator Sheridan Downey Elizabeth Winifred (McAslan) Downey, age 94, passed away in Oakland April 22, 2007 from complications associated with a broken hip. Known to family and friends as "Winnie," she is survived by her son, Sheridan Downey III of Oakland and two granddaughters, Julianne Giordano of Folsom and Kristina Stroeve of Grass Valley. She was the loving great-grandmother of Jarrett and Ethan Giordano and Joel and Dustin Stroeve. Winnie was born April 16, 1913 in Glasgow, Scotland. Her parents, Alfred Middleton McAslan and Euphemia "Effie" (Borland) McAslan came to California in 1916. They settled in Palo Alto. Winnie graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1931. After attending business college in San Jose she worked with her parents at "The Drapery Shop," next to the Varsity Theater on University Ave. in Palo Alto. She met and married Sheridan Downey Jr. in 1938. Her father-in-law was United States Senator Sheridan Downey (Dem., Calif. 1938-1950). Winnie and her family lived in Sacramento and San Marino, CA, before settling in Oakland in 1943 where Sheridan Jr. practiced law until his appointment as Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court in 1960. Sheridan Jr. died in 1988. Winnie was an active member of various charitable groups, including the Oakland Zoo (charter member), Salvation Army (Booth Memorial Hospital) and East Bay Lawyers' Wives. She was an avid duplicate bridge player, attaining the status of Life Master; she served for many years on the Board of the Oakland Unit of the American Contract Bridge League. In recent years she especially enjoyed playing bridge with her son, Sheridan III. Any friend wishing to make a memorial donation may do so to the charity of his or her choice. Private services will be held by the family. Inurnment arrangements have been made with Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, CA 94611, (510) 654-0123.