Obituary of Mary Downey

Mary Madeleine Downey "Laine" Age 95, of Joliet, IL passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2010. Laine was born Mary Madeleine Woodward, June 14, 1914, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of John Guy Woodward and Charlotte Poulter Waterbury, and a descendant of two of America's oldest families. She moved to Joliet as a toddler, to the corner of McDonough and Dewey Streets, and claimed Joliet as her lifelong home. She graduated from St. Patrick's Grade School and St. Francis Academy. She attended Joliet Junior College. After the US entered World War II, Laine and her sister Ruth joined the Marine Corps. Laine enlisted in the first class of Women Marines, while Ruth was sent to Officer Candidate School. Laine later received a commission, leaving the service as a 1st Lieutenant. Proud of being a Marine, she became an active member of the Women Marines Association, Blanche S. Osborne Chapter. She married John E. "Jack" Downey on April 12, 1947. Jack passed away in 1994, after 46 years of marriage She was a past president of the Joliet Catholic High Mother's Club, and a member of the Visitation and Aid Society and St. Joseph's Hospital Auxiliary. She was a proud member of the Louis Joliet Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. She was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Parish for nearly sixty years, writing a column for St. Paul's "Carillon" for several years. She is survived by her three children, Kathleen (Mrs. George A. McConaghy) of Naperville, IL, John E., Jr. (Linda) of Malvern, IA, and James M., of New Canaan, CT, and three grandchildren, Christine M. McConaghy of Downers Grove, IL, Jennifer A. McConaghy of New York City, and Walker P. Downey of New Canaan, CT. She is also survived by her sister, Ruth Agnes Woodward (Mrs. Julian O. Cumberland) of Montrose, NY. Funeral Services for Mary M. Downey will be Monday, January 11, 2010 at 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. Interment Monday at 12:00 p.m. at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery where full military honors will be accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name to the Women Marines Association or Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home would be appreciated. Visitation Sunday, 2-6 p.m. at: FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet For information: (815) 741-5500