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Nicole Downs Obituary
Our Lady of the Angels Website: https://ourladyoftheangels.com/nicole-downs-funeral
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/p9dbIM-zoxE?si=fS-ip7GrYHtLfxwn
Nicole Reilly Downs, an incredible daughter, sister, dog aunt, friend, teacher, and sports fan, passed away on December 3rd at the age of 38 after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Nicole lived life with a passion that was contagious to everyone around her. She was a beloved member of the Marshfield High School community, where she taught Math for the past 15 years. Her dedication to her students and her love for teaching were evident in everything she did.
Nicole is survived by her loving family: mother, Mary; her sister, Kelly; and her cherished dog niece, Maggie. She was preceded in death by her father, Paul, and will forever be remembered by her loved ones, who take comfort in knowing she is reunited with him. She is also deeply missed by her many friends, colleagues, and students, whose lives she touched in ways words cannot fully express.
Nicole was a proud graduate of Bridgewater State University, where she was a key member of their Field Hockey Team. Her love for sports extended far beyond her college years, and she could often be found having lengthy, enthusiastic conversations about games, players, and stats with anyone who shared her passion.
Music was another of Nicole's great loves, and it brought her great joy. She and her sister, Kelly, shared many special memories attending concerts together, where they took pleasure in the music and created lasting moments of happiness.
Visitation hours will be on Monday, December 9th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m at Sullivan Funeral Home, 551 Washington Street, Hanover, MA.
A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, December 10th, at 10:00am, at Our Lady of the Angels Church (392 Hanover St, Hanover, MA, formally St Mary's Church). Friends and family are invited to attend and share memories of Nicole at a reception afterwards at Friendship Hall, formerly known as the NCC Parish House, located at 83 Old Main Street, Marshfield Hills, MA 02051.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Nicole's honor to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, 12221 Merit Dr, Suite 1950, Dallas, TX 75251)
The family expresses heartfelt thanks to all those who offered their love and support during this difficult time.
3 Entries
Maya Corwin
November 18, 2025
As young girls, we aren´t conditioned to have the same inherent confidence in ourselves that young boys are raised to have. Because of this, I spent much of my childhood and teenage years believing that, if I wasn´t immediately good at something, I couldn´t do it. I believed I was incapable of so many things. Math was one of those things.
Ms. Downs changed that for me. She gave me the space to ask questions and admit when I couldn´t understand. She would sit after class with me, creating a judgement-free space. This allowed me to learn. For the very first time, I realized that, even if something didn´t come naturally, I could figure it out. I could learn to do it with the best of them. She, in her own quiet way, empowered me. She helped me help myself.
Now, having just graduated college, I´m surrounded by friends who all have the post grad blues. We´re all in the "what am I doing with my life" phase. But I´m not worried. I know I´ll be okay. Because I am capable. I can always figure things out, even if they´re hard. Ms. Downs taught me that.
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C.T
December 9, 2024
She was my 11th grade math teacher and the only math teacher that I have encountered that actually wanted her students to enjoy math and understand it. She also knew that sometimes math was boring but she was always honest about it. She inspired me to study chemistry and now because of her I have the opportunity to help others the same way she helped me in school. By showing them that hard work and dedication to your learning pays off. Forever grateful to you Ms. Downs.
Sarah Barnhard
December 5, 2024
Miss Downs was my junior year teacher in 2011 and I still remember her as one of the only math teacher´s I´ve ever had that helped me understand the material. Now, as a teacher myself, I have entirely new respect for all she did to help me and my classmates (and all her students). Thank you, Miss Downs; you will be missed.
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