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Madeline S. Downing
Brentwood - Madeline S. Downing, 87, of 117 North Road (Epping resident for 52 years) died Thursday, December 18, 2008 at the Rockingham County Nursing Home.
She was born March 12, 1922, daughter of Clyde H. and Sadie A. (Varney) Hill, in Eliot, ME. She attended Eliot schools and was a graduate of Eliot High and Gorham Normal School.
She taught kindergarten, was a dealer in antiques, prepared tax returns and was coowner/realtor of Epping Realty. She enjoyed the fine craft of needlepoint, displaying and marketing her creations at the Rockingham Craftsman Show and similar venues.
She married Clayton W. Downing in 1952 and negotiated with him both trials and triumphs. For many years, she was active with the Epping Community Church, serving as president of the Women's Club, Women's Aid Society and financial secretary. Later, she became a member of the Exeter United Methodist Church.
She enjoyed dancing, card-playing, As the World Turns, and the music of Loretta Lynn. She was a talented cook, and loved to explore the lesser-traveled roads of the seacoast counties. With indomitable will, she overcame injuries sustained in a 1986 automobile accident and complications from a 1992 stroke.
She was predeceased by her first daughter, Sandra Shute.
Family members include her husband, Clayton W. Downing of Brentwood, a son, Clayton W. Downing, Jr. of Fort Myers, FL, three daughters, Charlene Kinnard of Nottingham, Denise Downing of Concord and Judith Bascom of Bow, 12 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, a sister, Julia Donlan of Eliot, ME and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at the Stockbridge Funeral Home, 141 Epping Road, Exeter, Tuesday at 12 noon. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited and may call at the funeral home, from 11 AM until the hour of the service. Spring burial will be in the Brooks Memorial Park, Eliot, ME.
Visitation -
Tuesday, December 23, 200811:00 am until hour of serviceStockbridge Funeral Home141 Epping RoadExeter, New Hampshire 03833Service -
Tuesday, December 23, 200812:00 noonStockbridge Funeral Home141 Epping RoadExeter, New Hampshire 03833Interment -
Spring burial will be in theBrooks Memorial Park,Eliot, Maine.Stockbridge Funeral Home invites you to post your entries of love and support for the family. All postings are monitored and any inappropriate posts will be immediately deleted. Thanks in advance for your respect for the family.
