Nancy Dianna Downs

Nancy Dianna Downs, 78, died July 4, 2025 at her family's century homestead in Lakeside, the same house where she was born on October 22, 1946, to William S. Hull IV and Jane A. (Barbee) Hull. She graduated from New Buffalo High School in 1964, taking a job with CBI Lumber in Union Pier before moving to Oselka Construction for over 25 years, and finally entering the Real Estate sector in the 1990s. She married fellow Lakeside resident Melvin E. Downs in 1971 and they remained lovingly married for 50 years until his passing in 2021.

Nancy was her mother's daughter in every way. She preferred to speak from the heart in all things and was proud in the best ways, with a sharp wit and sometimes a sharp tongue. She was quick with a joke and filled any room she entered with laughter and love. Nancy will be remembered for being a world-class hostess at Holiday celebrations for friends and family at her longtime home on Pier Street in Lakeside. Her closest friends were always welcomed like family and her own family was the axle around which her life revolved.

Nancy and Melvin were longtime members of the Pottawattomie Country Club in Michigan City and the New Buffalo Yacht Club. She loved organizing reunions for fellow classmates from New Buffalo High School.

Survivors include her brother, William S. Hull V, of Grand Ledge, MI and sister Pamela J. Behnke, of Roscommon, MI. She also leaves behind four beloved nieces and nephews and five grand-nieces and grand-nephews: niece Kimberly (& Bill) Herod, of Lakeside, nephew Richard (& Julie) Novacek III and their daughter Molly, of New Buffalo, nephew William (& Teri) Hull VI of Fort Wayne, IN, and nephew Jim (& Caitlin) Hull and their children Vance, Eleanor, and August, of East Aurora, NY.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband Melvin and children Melvin II and Samantha Jane who died at birth. A private celebration of her life will be held for family in late July. Nancy will be interred in Lakeside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Michiana Humane Society.