Ardith L. Downer
Ardith L. Downer, 92, of Monongahela, died Saturday, February 24, 2018, in Monongahela Valley Hospital.
She was born February 13, 1926, in Monongahela, a daughter of Wilbur Boyd and Helen Cain Boyd Gray and stepdaughter of Elzie Gray.
Mrs. Downer was a 1945 graduate of Monongahela High School. She enjoyed spending time with her family and going on family trips to their camp in Tionesta. She loved teaching her grandchildren about recognizing the different species of birds and had a green thumb when it came to flowers. She could make anything grow. While her daughters were growing up, everyone seemed to hang out on their porch and fondly referred to her as “Mum.” To her great-grandchildren, she was known as “Grandma Goodie” because they always left her home with bags of candy.
Surviving are three daughters, Diane Avau and husband Edward of Monongahela, Ramona Koschak and husband Jim of Hutchinson and Cindy Tatar and husband James of Monongahela; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Lynda Lovelace and husband Bill of Michigan; and an aunt, Betty Boyd of Monongahela.
Deceased, in addition to her parents and stepfather, are her husband, Charles R. Downer; a daughter, Rebecca Downer; a son, Raymond “Butch” Downer; three sisters, Louise Matthews, Jean Sweat and Jane Williams; and three brothers, Wilbur, Vincent and Lee Boyd.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in Frye Funeral Home Inc., 427 West Main Street, Monongahela, where services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 28, with the Rev. Mark Schollaert officiating. Interment will follow in Monongahela Valley Memorial Park, Donora.
Memorial contributions may be made to Washington City Mission, in care of Development Office, 382 West Chestnut Street, Suite 108, Washington, PA 15301.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.fryefuneralhome.com.