PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Naomi Elizabeth (Donnelly) Downing, wife of John “Jack” Downing, passed into heaven on August 2, 2018. She was born on April 29, 1924, in Fort Fairfield, the daughter of Elizabeth (Sweeney) Donnelly and Horace Justin Donnelly.
Naomi graduated from Fort Fairfield High School in 1943 and married her soul mate Jack in 1951. She was employed at the First National Bank of Ft. Fairfield and after her boys were born, worked part time at Weinberg’s and Pancsofar’s Bridal Shop in Presque Isle.
She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Presque Isle and enjoyed working on many projects, especially the church fair. She was also a volunteer for the church funeral committee.
She is survived by her husband, Jack; two sons, Peter Downing and his wife, Marie Stewart-Downing, of Brewer and Mark Downing of Bangor; grandson and his wife, Jordan and Kayla Stewart of South Portland; great-grandson, Nolan Stewart of South Portland; sister, Joyce Banks from South Windsor, CT; and several nieces and nephews.
Naomi was predeceased by her parents and three special sisters, Zeta, Lorraine, and Patricia.
The family would like to give special thanks for the tremendous care, compassion, and love for Naomi to Dr. Kristin Guerrette and Beth Porter of TAMC Family Medicine, the staff at The Aroostook Medical Center, the truly amazing staff at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Bangor, especially RN Becky, Rosie Miller who was a caregiver that became family, and to Beacon Hospice.
A private family graveside service will be held at a later date. Those wishing to remember Naomi in a special way can send donations to The Aroostook Medical Center, c/o EMHS Foundation, P.O. Box 931, Bangor, ME 04402. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.
