Rita H. Downey

Rita Hilaire Downey, 84, of Lower Saucon Township, entered into her eternal reward on Sept. 19, 2015 surrounded by her family. She was born Sept. 12, 1931 in Fountain Hill at St. Lukes Hospital. She was the seventh child of eight, fifth daughter of the late Emile H. Hilaire and Jane Connell Hilaire. She was the wife of Harold A. (Hal) Downey, who predeceased her in 1997 after nearly 43 years of marriage. She graduated from Liberty High School in 1949 and graduated from Albert Einstein Medical Center School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Penna. in 1953. After many varied experiences in the nursing field, she enrolled in East Stroudsburg State College and graduated with honors in 1972 with a B.S. in Education, with a major in School Nursing. She was employed as a school nurse in the Bethlehem Area School District from 1972 until retiring in 1991.

She was a member of Bethlehem Area School District Retiree Association, Pennsylvania State Education Association Retiree Association, Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Colesville, Penna. where she was a member of the Sanctuary Committee, and the Notre Dame 55+ Club of Bethlehem.

She is survived by her sisters Jane Coleman (Nevada), and Anne Tallarico of Bethlehem; her daughters Molly D. Farrington and husband Richard (Connecticut), Carol D. Parker (Illinois); sons Harold A. Downey, Jr., Ph.D. and wife Susan (Texas), Mark P. Downey, M.D. (Kentucky), and Thomas J. Downey, Lt. Col., U.S. Army Reserve and wife Malia (Blue Bell, PA). In addition, she leaves nine grandchildren, Kenneth and Ryan Farrington; Brigit, Patrick, Peter, Elena, Gabriela, Ava and Alan Downey; and five great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her sisters Marie H. Holland and Lucille Pleiss both of Bethlehem; her sister Catherine Thompson of Fredericksburg, Va., and brothers Philip Hilaire of Bloomfield Hills, Mich. and Vincent J. Hilaire of Bethlehem.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2015 from 6-8 p.m. at Connell Funeral Home, 245 E. Broad St., Bethlehem; Mass of Christian burial on Friday, September 25, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Assumption B.V.M Church in Colesville with a calling hour from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the church, followed by interment at Holy Savior Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Assumption B.V.M. Church 4101 Old Bethlehem Pike, Bethlehem, PA 18015.



Visitation
Thursday, September 24, 2015
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The Connell Funeral Home
245 E. Broad St.
Bethlehem PA 18018
US
610-868-8531

Visitation
Friday, September 25, 2015
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Assumption B.V.M.
4101 Old Bethlehem Pike
Bethlehem PA 18015
US

Mass of Christian Burial
Friday, September 25, 2015
10:30 AM
Assumption B.V.M.
4101 Old Bethlehem Pike
Bethlehem PA 18015
US

Funeral HomeConnell Funeral Home, Inc.
245 East Broad St.
Bethlehem PA - 18018
US
610-868-8531