Cecilia Downing

Obituary of Cecilia Downing

Cecilia Josephine Downing was called home to heaven on December 28, 2016, just one month before her 102nd birthday, after a long and faithful life. She was predeceased by her parents, Alfred and Harriet Davies, brothers Robert, Alfred, and Jim Davies, and by her husbands, Paul Herter, Geoffrey Downing, and Douglas Linton. She is survived by many nieces and nephews. Cecilia was born in Toronto in 1915, where she lived for most of her childhood, although the family did return to England for a period of time. Trained to draft and sew ladies’ dresses and lingerie, she worked at the Violette Graye Roome on Charles Street, a custom fashion house. Most of her working life was spent as a buyer for Eatons: “orders to buy” entitled her to make large purchases for the store. Although she had no children of her own, Cecilia was a foster parent to many and always loved little children, later working as a crossing guard in Kitchener. A long time member of the Unity Church in Toronto and then St John the Evangelist Anglican Church in Kitchener, Cecilia had a deep faith that sustained her throughout her life. A world traveller with both Geoffrey and Douglas, Cecilia made her last cruise at the age of 93! Cecilia was an independent, determined, adventurous, feisty and fun loving woman, generous and life-embracing. In her later years, as a resident of first Victoria Place and later Parkwood Mennonite Home, she charmed the staff who admired her spunk and spoke of her as very sweet. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Church of St John the Evangelist, 23 Water Street, Kitchener, with Canon Perry Chuipka officiating, and her cremated remains will be scattered in the Memorial Garden there. Condolences for the family and donations to the Church of St. John the Evangelist or the Canadian Blind Mission may be arranged by contacting the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.
Saturday
8
April

Celebration of Life

11:00 am
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Church of St. John the Evangelist
23 Water Street North
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

Interment

Church of St. John the Evangelist
23 Water Street North
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Church Scattering Gardens