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BORN
1987
DIED
2015
FUNERAL HOME
Matthew Downing Obituary
He leaves behind his adored sister Frances, and brother Glenn; his beloved Grandmother Winifred Downing; Uncle Bill and Aunt Chris (McClure); Uncle Jim and Aunt Eileen (Roddy); Uncle Terry and Aunt Dede (McDevitt); Uncle Steve Downing as well as a host of loving cousins.
Matt was born and raised in the San Francisco Sunset District. He attended Holy Name Elementary School, St. Ignatius High School, and Chico State University. He earned a degree in English literature and traveled to South Korea after graduation to teach English. After coming home, he began working at Sienna Imports where he became an account manager for Italian Wines. He was loyal to the many friends he made in life.
His education served him well as he was never at a loss for words, spoken and written. He was a talented, engaging story teller and writer, leaving behind some wonderful expressions of himself for us to treasure. He invited conversation and debate with a keen interest in current events, sports and film.
In the last year, Matt developed a new passion. He loved swimming in the bay and attending happy hour with his friends at the South End Club. He also was a dedicated weight lifter and enjoyed cycling. His favorite moments were spent sharing food and drink with family and friends, enjoying off-color humor with best friend Chris, and spending a day in the sun with his loving girlfriend Sara.
Matt, although our hearts are broken we are comforted knowing you rest in God's great care.
A funeral service will be held on Monday April 27 at 11 am at Holy Name Church, 1555- 39 th Ave, San Francisco, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Holy Name School, 1560-40 th Ave, San Francisco 94122.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Matthew Downing
Sponsored by Duggan's Serra Mortuary - Daly City.
Rose
April 16, 2025
Dear Mike and Family
I cannot believe it has been 10 years since Matt left us! Our family watched him grow up. That cute little blonde headed boy.......playing outside..many good memories! Remembering Matt today. Sending my thoughts and prayers to you... Hope you are all doing well :) Hugs, Rose
Rose
April 16, 2024
Hi Mike and Family, Just wanted to tell you I am sending my thoughts and prayers to all of you! I will always remember Matt ! Hope all is well with all of you !! Love and Hugs, Rose xoxo
Rose
April 16, 2022
Dear Mike and Family,
I am thinking of Matt today. His life will always be remembered. I am sending my thoughts and prayers.
Thinking of you.
Love and Hugs, Rose xo
Rose Widnes
April 18, 2021
Dear Mike. Terry, Francis and Glenn
Just wanted you to know that I am thinking of Matt today.
I think of him often and say prayers for him.
Always remember that he is always with you.
Sending my thoughts and prayers to you today.
Love and Hugs, Rose
Rose Widnes
April 18, 2020
Dear Mike, Terry, Frances and Glenn,
Wanted to let you know that I am thinking of Matt today. He will always be in my thoughts and prayers. I am also sending my thoughts and prayers to all of you. He will never be forgotten.....God Bless all of you.
Hugs, Rose
Rose Widnes
April 17, 2019
Dear Mike, Terry, Frances and Glenn,
I just want you to know that I am thinking of Matt today. I think of him often !! I will never forget him.
I am thinking of all of you, as well today, and sending my thoughts and prayers......
Hugs, Rose
Sally Bowcock-Bartosiewski
April 27, 2015
Dear Downing Family,
I am so fortunate that your family was my next door neighbor. I remember looking out my front window in March of 1988 and seeing such a nice young couple with the cutest blond boy looking to buy the house next door. I told my folks, Bob and Polly, "I hope they buy the house." And so you did. My folks and I considered your family to be the absolutely best neighbors in the world. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to talk to Matthew about his writing and everything else. He sure was a great guy. My folks and I loved him very much.
peter dunleavy
April 27, 2015
Prayers for the Downing family
April 27, 2015
Dear Mike, Terry and your entire family,
I was shocked to hear of Matt's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this terrible time. I know you are heartbroken. I am so sorry. Lynn Sidor
April 27, 2015
Dear Mike and Terry and the entire Downing Family,
We are praying for you and hope you are comforted by many wonderful memories of Matt. Blessings, Gina and Mark Clayton (Ben and Cole's Auntie in Vallejo)
April 27, 2015
Dear Mike, Terry, Franny & Glenn,
Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family during this difficult time. We have many fond memories of Matt.
Love,
Rick, Alice, Zoe, Zach & Zeph Seher
Angel Hession
April 26, 2015
Terry , Mike, and the entire Downing family, we send our heartfelt love and support to you all. May you find comfort in knowing your family and friends are here for you and in knowing that God only takes the best.
Angel, Gary, and family. Xo
April 26, 2015
Dear Mike and Terry: Please accept our sincere condolences. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Blessings and kind regards, Ivy and Louis Chan
April 26, 2015
Dear Downing Family,
Our deepest condolences in this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Virginia Santos & Seamus McDonagh
April 26, 2015
To Winifred, Mike, and all the Downings,
The McAuliffes, John, Larry, and Betsy extend our
deepest sympathies in the loss of your precious Matt.
What a gift he was. Your grief is unimaginable. Holding you close in our hearts and prayers and sending our love.
our love.
April 25, 2015
Dear Downing family
So very sorry for the loss of your Matt. Our heartfelt sympathies to all of you.
The Bidegainberry family
Jim and Jan Gunn
April 25, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
April 24, 2015
Mike,Terry , Franny and Glenn, our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love the Maher's Jim and Joelene, Ben,Alice,Jeff and Carrie,
Aunt Dede
April 24, 2015
"Good-night,Sweet Prince;
And flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest"
Wm. Shakespeare
Beautiful Matt, You were a bright and shining star. I'll look up and find you.
April 24, 2015
Mike, Terry, Frances and Glenn Our heartfelt condolences for the loss of Matthew. As a neighbor and parent, we have had the joy watching your kids grow up. We are deeply saddened by this tragedy but know he is in God's care now. Love will care your family through this. Bless you all forever and always.
Tom, Connie, Jonathan and Megan Wong
April 24, 2015
Although I do not know you, I send love and condolences to your family and friends. Your life will go on as long as people remember you and the legacy you have built. Louise Wehser
Janis McIntosh
April 23, 2015
I extend to you my most heartfelt sorrow and condolences. I never had the pleasure to know Matthew but I know the Downing Family and know he must have been an exceptional young man. I'm so very sorry.
April 23, 2015
Dear Mike, Terry and Family, words and feelings are so hard to express at this time. Mike, I have known you and your family for the last 50 years, since we moved around the corner from you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time,
Ursula (Durkin), Steve and Andrew Perotti
April 23, 2015
Sorry to hear of your loss [and the South End's loss too].
South Ender
Kathy B
Daria Willis
April 23, 2015
Dear Mike,Terry, Franny and Glenn,
I'm sorry for your loss, your family is in our thoughts.
Best,
Daria Willis, SI '05
April 23, 2015
Matt,
You put your stamp on our home with your Dad and that lasts forever, just like your spirit -- it never fades or ends. Now it's up to us, the living, to keep your spirit burning in our hearts. That won't be difficult to do -- your spirit was bright. May the Angels Lead You to Paradise!
Dennis, Lisa, Sophia, & Devon
Houston,Texas
Margaret Daly
April 23, 2015
Dear Mike,Terry, Franny and Glenn,
We are truly shocked and saddened to learn of Matt's passing much too soon. I cannot begin to imagine the extent of your grief and sense of loss. He will be truly missed by so many. May God console you along with all the thoughts prayers and support of your extended families and friends.
Our sincere condolences
Margaret Dan, Connor & Brendan Daly
Kathleen Tuttle Spight
April 23, 2015
Dearest Terry and Mike, I offer my heartfelt sympathy for your loss. I am so very sorry. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time.
April 23, 2015
Dear Terry and Mike,
My heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family at this time. What a handsome and multi-talented man Mathhew was.
With sorrow in my heart, I send healing thoughts to your whole family,
Patricia Jackson
Gilroy, CA
Lauren L
April 23, 2015
Another life taken too soon. May you rest peacefully with our other Wildcats in the sky. Mike, Terry, Frances, & Glenn, you are all in our thoughts and prayers. May you find strength in those around you during this time.
April 23, 2015
Dear Mike & Terry,
There are no words than can express our grief. Please know that Matt as well as your family are in our prayers and thoughts
Ed and Arlene Phipps
April 23, 2015
Mike, Terry and family. We are so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Jeanie and Lenore Lamey
Adrian Simi
April 23, 2015
Mike and family, Please accept my sincere condolences.
April 23, 2015
Mike, Terry, Franny and Glenn, Please accept our heartfelt condolences. We were deeply saddened to hear the news of your son and brother's passing. Jeanine, Noel and Daniel Cotter and Claire and Franny Hill.
Elise and Ken Stupi
April 23, 2015
Mike, we are stunned and so deeply saddened to learn this news about Matt. Our sincerest and most heartfelt condolences to you, Terry, and the entire family. May Matt's memory be eternal and may you find comfort in all the wonderful, happy moments you shared together. God bless you and be with you always.
Charles HIgueras
April 23, 2015
To the Downing Family - Our most heartfelt condolences - May the memory of him be a blessing to all who knew and loved him.
Jared Betro
April 23, 2015
Matt, it has been a while but I still carry many great memories with you from SI and Chico. You always had an intelligent quick wit and were someone that everyone loved to have around. Rest peacefully, and all my deepest thoughts and condolences to you and your family.
April 23, 2015
Matt, love you so much. You'll always be my son's best friend. I know your in a beautiful place and someday we will all be together again but it hasn't stopped my heart from breaking. I'll miss your hugs .
Tina
April 22, 2015
Nancy Desideri Azevedo
Deepest sympathies to you all.........
April 22, 2015
My deepest condolences to the Downing family. Matt and I met and were roommates in Korea, and we carried our friendship there since. I considered you an incredibly close friend and I only hope that you felt the same. I wish that I could share all of the memories that we had, like many others. Matt, you are and always will be the most loyal friend and honorable man that I have known. Gone entirely too soon, but NEVER forgotten. Niner games will never be the same without you brother.
Dominick Eskandar
April 22, 2015
Our prayers and hears are with your family at this very difficult time.
The Di Bono Family
April 22, 2015
Heartbreak is no fun never forget your hard charging spirit, loved being your friend. RIP Mike Roddy
April 22, 2015
I am so sorry, My Love and Prayers are with you and your family <3
April 22, 2015
I watched Matt grow up as a child, playing ball, skateboarding, riding his bike...I also remember when Frances and Glen were born and watched them grow up as well...We will miss Matt's smile....He is now your guardian angel to look after his family. Matt will always be there with you..not in body but always with you in Spirit. Mike, Terry, Frances and Glenn..You will be in my daily prayers for healing. I will always remember that little blonde boy who grew up into a wonderful young man....
Love, Rose (your next door neighbor) xo
April 22, 2015
Mike, Terry, Franny and Glenn,
Our deepest condolence for your loss during this difficult time. It's been so many years since the days of HN School. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Herb, Rita, Garrett & Eric Toy
April 22, 2015
OMG, Les, I'm so very sorry - words fail me. My thoughts are with you & your family, of course. Love you, Marge
April 22, 2015
We were so saddened to hear the news about Matt. He was in the year behind Evan at Holy Name. Used to see him all the time in the school yard, and at Glenn and Rickys games. Rest in peace Matt.
Condolences to the Downing family.
Rick, LaPriel, Lauren, Evan, and Rick
David Abarca
April 22, 2015
Rest in peace Matt, still remember how much we cracked each other up at Cross Country practices and meets. Going to miss you.
Love, eileen
April 22, 2015
Matt, you lit up our home every time you were in it. The stories you told and wit that you shared were only outdone by your written words. You will remain forever in our broken hearts.
Kerry Anne Durkan (Lanahan)
April 22, 2015
Matt, may you rest in peace. Your quick wit and passion for life will be missed. I'm forever thankful to you for introducing me to Jim Durkan.
My deepest condolences to the entire family.
Janice Beccaria
April 22, 2015
Dear Downing Family,
Despite the distance in time and space, I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to you all. Janice Beccaria
Frank, Tricia, Michael & Julia Moore
April 22, 2015
Mike and Terry, we're so sorry for your loss. What beautiful parents he had. Our deepest condolences.
April 22, 2015
There are no words to express just how much Matt meant to this world. He was an amazing friend, co-worker and what I always told him, "I wish my son will be like you when he grows up".I am ever grateful to have had the privilege to have Matt in my life.
Thank you and my sincerest condolences,
Serena Chietti
John Griffin. Jr
April 22, 2015
I knew the Downing family at Holy Name. The kids would come in the church and lead Glen and Winifred to the front. My deepest condolences for your loss
Jenny Concepcion (Pardini)
April 22, 2015
Rest in peace buddy. I can't believe you're really gone. So many fun times in Chico. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Liz Di Bono Bucci
April 22, 2015
Matt, your smile and sense of humor will be sorely missed. Rest in peace.
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