Mary Lou (Tedoldi) Downing

WALLINGFORD - Mary Lou (Tedoldi) Downing, 85, of Wallingford, Conn., died peacefully Friday, Dec. 11, 2015. She was the devoted wife for 64 years of the late Joseph F. Downing, who predeceased her in August of this year.

She was born in Tewksbury, Mass. on May 4, 1930, daughter of the late Jenny (Tedoldi) Padula, and raised by her uncle and aunt, the late Louis and Philomena Tedoldi. Mary Lou grew up in Wellesley, Mass., surrounded by a large loving extended family. She graduated from Wellesley High School and subsequently became a bank branch vice president. Upon marrying she moved to Wallingford, Conn. She was the loving mother of five children. While being a devoted mother, she worked side-by-side with her husband to start and grow a successful business. Mary Lou was happiest when she and Joe were surrounded by their children and grandchildren. She was a friend to many, known for her outgoing personality and endless energy.

She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Natalie and Harvey Johnson, of Parsippany, N.J., Joanne and Gary Daviau, of Clinton, Conn., and Roberta and Paul Gioffre Sr., of Stevensville, Md.; her grandchildren, Jennifer Devine and her husband, Roy, Erika Emerick and her husband, Michael, Kevin Powers and his wife, Sharon, Joseph Powers and his wife, Desiree, Kathryn Drabble and her husband, Michael, Emily Smith and her husband, Jason, William Daviau and his wife, Laura, Paul Gioffre Jr. and his wife, Daria, and April Gioffre; seven great-grandchildren; her sister, Louise Bailey; and her brother, Robert Tedoldi and his wife, Carol; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, William L. Downing; and her daughter, Donna Marie Anderson M.D.

Her family will receive relatives and friends in The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Ext., Wallingford, Conn., on Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 9 a.m. from the funeral home, when the funeral cortege will proceed to Most Holy Trinity Church, 84 N. Colony St., Wallingford, Conn., where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery in Wallingford. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

www.wallingfordfh.com