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Obituary for Norma Evelyn Down
Norma Evelyn Down died Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at the age of 91. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ross Sr.; daughter, Evelyn Captola Murphy and son, Ross (Anne) Jr. and is survived by her daughter, Judy (Lodavico) Bastianelli; son, Ken (Christine); 15 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren and many extended family members and dear friends.
Born in Detroit on December 3, 1916, the daughter of Roy & Evelyn (Dow) Irwin, Norma grew up there during the Great Depression and learned at an early age to value life�s non material treasures. Through mutual friends, she was introduced to a young man named Henry �Ross� Down and was soon married. The newlyweds remained close to family and made their first home in Detroit, managing to get through the trying times of the depression with nearly nothing. They were blessed with the births of their children, Evelyn, Ross Jr., Judith and Kenneth and while Mr. Down worked as a survey equipment technician, Norma stayed busy balancing her part time work outside the home with the daily maintaining of the household. She loved gardening, mowing the lawn and racking leaves and achieved a sense of harvest each year by counting the bags of leaves. She had a warm personality, a wonderful sense of humor and could drum up good conversation with a perfect stranger. Throughout her golden years, her quick wit and intelligence remained as sharp as ever. In the midst of their sadness, her family celebrates Norma�s homecoming while giving thanks to God for her life among them.
Funeral from Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 404 E. Liberty, Milford, Friday, Oct 3, 2008, at 11AM with Chaplain Marie Kuykendall officiating. Burial Commerce Memorial Cemetery. Visitation Thursday 3-9PM. Memorials are encouraged to Hospice of Michigan. For further information please phone 248.684.6645.
