Rachel Downs Obituary
Rachel was born on April 20, 1934, in Keene, NH, the daughter of the late Oscar Isabelle, Sr., and Lucy (St. Jaques) Isabelle.
Rachel was a teacher at Holy Trinity for over 20 years and was also in the Frustration Hills Blues Band for over 10 years. She enjoyed playing cards, doing puzzles and knitting. Rachel also loved spending time relaxing on the porch with family and friends as well as tending to her flower garden in her backyard.
Rachel is survived by her sons, James A. Downs and his wife Rebecca, of Laconia, NH, Charles L. Downs, Jr., of Laconia, NH, Jason C. Downs and his wife Janna, of Plainfield, NH, and Keith M. Downs and his wife Celina, of Milton, NH; daughters Darlene A. Breton and her husband Raymond, of Gilmanton, NH, and Amy L. Moore, of Laconia, NH; brothers Oscar Isabelle, Jr., and his wife Deirdre, of FL, and William Isabelle; sister Louise Weeks, of Concord, NH; 21 grandchildren, Nathaniel, Nathan, Amanda, Jared, Robert, Shane, Michaela, Rachel, Audrey, Austin, Abbey, Michael, Brian, Hadassa, Isaac, Giada, Martinian, Jordan, Raegan, Dominic, and Sydney; and 10 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Rachel is predeceased by her husband Charles L. Downs Sr., in 2012, her son Joseph A. Downs, in 1984, and sisters Ellen Morin and Doris Hamel.
Calling Hours will be held at Tuesday, January 20, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Andre Bessette Parish - Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH.
Burial will be held in the spring at St. Lambert Cemetery, Province Street, Laconia, NH.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
Sarah Fortier
January 19, 2026
It was very sad to hear of the passing of Mrs. Downs. She was one of my favorite teachers at Holy Trinity School, whom I learned so much from. She was an amazing educator, kind & loving to all, even when she was teaching you a hard lesson. I look back fondly on those times and her dedication to her students, the Christmas pageants & chorus rehearsals. Thank you Mrs. Downs
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Dorothy Duffy
January 17, 2026
I am so sad to read of Rachel Down´s death. She was my neighbor, my classmate, my friend. She was major part of our sisterhood for more than two dozen years. I know I speak of these sisters, the LHS Class of 1952 ladies lunch group that met monthly for lunch. Over the years we peaked around thirty classmates but sadly today, we are about a half dozen. We loved each other like sisters would.
Rachel and her husband, Charles who was also one of our classmates, were a classic example of a happy marriage and they have all those children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to prove it. If that didn´t work, they became the Frustration Hills Blues Band.
She was loyal to the children she taught at Holy Trinity and her religion.
I was able to talk to Rachel after she moved to the Taylor Community but lost connections with my move to a nursing home. The last time I saw her, she was walking with - I think her niece. She will always be a beautiful woman to me. My best wishes to all that will miss her but live and relive with your fondest memories.
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164 Pleasant Street P.O. Box 67, Laconia, NH 03246
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