MELODY A. DOWNIE ,SOUTHINGTON, CT – Melody A. Downie, 66, of Southington, CT, died of cancer on Monday, December 18th, 2017, at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, CT. She was born on June 28th, 1951, in Houlton, Maine, to Leo and Virginia (Monahan) Downie.
Melody graduated from Houlton High School where she played basketball and was a member of the Glee Club. She began a long and continued dedication to medicine in her hometown where she worked as a Nurse’s Aide during her teenage years. After graduation, Melody went on to become a Licensed Practical Nurse at Shepard-Gill School of Practical Nursing of Massachusetts General Hospital. She then worked at Massachusetts (now Spaulding) Rehabilitation Hospital. Later she earned an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Northeastern University. Upon completion of this degree, Melody completed the requirements to become a Registered Nurse and returned to Massachusetts General Hospital to work in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. Subsequently, she was accepted to Anesthesia School at Tufts-New England Medical Center, where she completed her medical training to become a Nurse Anesthetist. Unfortunately, Melody was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1982.
Melody worked as a Nurse Anesthetist for 23 years at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, MA. Multiple sclerosis having progressed significantly over the years, Melody found it necessary to retire from her career in medicine in 2003.
Melody leaves behind her loving and devoted life partner of 35 years, Jeffery D. Ives, of Southington, CT. She also leaves a sister, Nina Capuano, and her husband, Tony, of Orange, CT, a brother, Ronald Downie, and his wife, Virginia, of Ruther Glen, VA, as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Melody was predeceased by three sisters, Patricia Guy and Gail Ellen Downie of Houlton, ME, Mary Lou Alward of South Portland, ME, and one brother, Terry Wayne Downie.
Melody requested that there be no wake or memorial service for her. However, she loved Italian food and good wine, so you can remember her by going to a good Italian restaurant or by buying a bottle of good red wine.
For online condolences please visit www.dellavecchiafh.com
