Marilyn S. Downs

Marilyn S. Downs, of New York City, died Saturday, November 15, 2014, in her home in Equinunk with her family. She lived her life with a belief in God and Our Lord Jesus Christ and a personal dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Marilyn is survived by her husband of 46 years Richard; her sons Francis Xavier, Michael Wayne and his wife Arlene, Matthew Scott, and Mitchell Brian; her grandchildren Zachary, Jared and Mackenzie; and her constant companions Maxe and Ginger.

She lived a successful and happy life as a working mother. She was a theater promoter at Lowe’s Cinema during the peak of the Golden Age of Hollywood, working with actors and performers such as James Cagney, Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, Tab Hunter, and many others.

While raising her children, she pursued her college degree at Fordham University. After completing her education, she worked both in the home as a dedicated mother and outside the home in banking and accounting. Throughout her career, she held positions of responsibility in finance and accounting at a number of well-respected companies, including working at Banker’s Trust on Wall Street as the Head Teller, several Chase Manhattan Bank branches in Queens, Pentaboro Construction Corporation in Manhattan as their Head Bookkeeper, and Farmers and Merchant Bank in Honesdale, PA in the Accounting Department.

In addition to working full-time and raising her boys she spent 20 years in Scouting in the Greater New York Council as a Den Mother for Cub Scout Pack #177 and a Committee Member for Boy Scout Troop #28. She served as a lector for St. John the Evangelist Parish and throughout her life dedicated herself to teaching in Headstart for God, CCD and Faith Formation for over 40 years at both the Holy Child Jesus Parish in Queens, New York as well as St. John the Evangelist Parish in Honesdale, PA.

She was loved deeply and will be missed greatly by all who knew her and by all whose lives were touched by her kindness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 24th at St. Mary Magdalen Church at 10am. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Friends may visit Hessling Funeral Home, Inc., 428 Main St. Honesdale on Sunday from 2 to 5.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Eucharistic Chapel, St. John the Evangelist Parish, 416 Main St. Honesdale, PA 18431.