Obituary of Jean Downey

Burke, Virginia – Jean Grace Downey nee Comyns passed away peacefully at her home on September 23, 2013, after a courageous five year battle with cancer. She was born in New York City on January 8, 1930, grew up in Queens and lived most of her life on Long Island, before relocating to Virginia in 2000. Jean was a graduate of Forest Hills High School, received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics from Adelphi University, and later went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Education from Queens College. She was a lifetime member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Jean was a dedicated educator with over thirty years of service to the New York City Public School system, as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. She spent several years before her retirement as principal of P.S. 191 Elementary School in Floral Park, Queens, also known as “The Mayflower School,” an assignment that she cherished. In retirement, Jean spent her time volunteering, traveling, playing bridge, and, most often, cheering for her grandchildren at countless soccer games and swim meets. Jean was predeceased by and her beloved husband of 35 years, Joseph A. Downey, who was also a retired New York City elementary school principal. Jean is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Ziggy Wulff, and their three children, Allison, Stephen, and Christina Wulff of Burke, Virginia, as well as a son, Joseph T. Downey and his family of Washington, D.C. The family will receive visitors on Friday September 27th from 4 to 7 p.m. at Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home, 26 Franklin Avenue, Glen Cove, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in her honor on Saturday September 28th at 9:45 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 235 Glen St., Glen Cove, N.Y. Burial will immediately follow at St. Patrick’s cemetery. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Capital Caring Hospice and Palliative Care Center for their support in her final days. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude’s Hospital or Capital Caring Hospice.