Mary "Polly" Downward

1935 - 2025

Mary C. Downward (known as Polly) 89, died at her home on August 23, 2025. The daughter of F. Turner Cooke and Margaret Van Tuyl Cooke, she was born on December 31, 1935, in Springfield, MA. She married Brock W. Downward in 1973 and moved to Raleigh, NC in 1976 when Brock was appointed Director of Music at White Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Polly worked at the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina for five years and at FMI Corporation for eighteen years. She was active in choirs of White Memorial Presbyterian Church and St. Michael's Episcopal Church. She volunteered at Rex Hospital after her retirement in 1998.

Polly is survived by her husband, Brock, her daughter, Gail McWithey and Gail's husband, Robert McWithey of Weaverville, NC; two grandchildren, Emmy Frisella (her husband Matt), Eric McWithey and three great grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 1520 Canterbury Road, Raleigh, NC 27608 at 2:00 p.m. (music beginning at 1:30 p.m.) on Friday, August 29. The service will be streamed on the church's web site: www.holymichael.org. Memorial contributions may be made to the music fund of St. Michael's Episcopal Church, or to the charity of your choice. Special thanks to the healthcare professionals at The Cypress of Raleigh and Transitions Hospice.