CAROLYN JEAN DOWNS

September 8, 1937 – December 8, 2022

Carolyn Jean Downs, age 85, passed away on Thursday, December 8, 2022. Born in Fulton, IL, near the Mississippi River, she was the daughter of Marie and Cornelius Mooi.

Carolyn grew up in Oak Lawn, where she met the man of her dreams, Joseph Downs. Carolyn (Jean, to family and friends) adored working and raising her four children on the farm. When she wasn't on the tractor, she was sewing clothes for her children, and filling the house with the scent of freshly baked bread. As her children grew, she spent long hours renovating her 100-year-old farmhouse. Hanging wallpaper, sewing drapes, staining woodwork — she knew how to turn plain into picturesque. "Christmas is my favorite holiday," she would say, stringing lights and garland from one end of the house to the other, big red bows tied to any bare post. Later in life, Carolyn enjoyed gardening flowers in summer and reading endless stacks of books by the fire in winter.

Carolyn and her devoted husband Joseph were married 67 years and members of St. Patrick's Church in Wilton Center most of their lives. Though Carolyn led a full life, it was not always easy. She endured hardships, overcame illnesses, loved, and served her family passionately. In her final years, Carolyn would say, "I don't know how anyone makes it in this world without Jesus."

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Raymond Mooi, and her sister Mary Gatto. She is survived by her sister Martha Mundt, her husband, Joseph Downs, her sons Michael J. Downs and Mark W. Downs, her daughters Karen M. Talamonti (husband Andrew) and JoAnn Alo (husband David). Grandchildren: Amanda A. Bennett, Laura J. Siebert, Sarah J. Alo, Connor M. Downs, Nolan J. Downs, Michael P. Talamonti, and Cailyn I. Talamonti. Great Grandchildren: Frederick D. Bennett, Paul L. Bennett, Martin W. Bennett, Jane L. Bennett, Lucy K. Downs.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by clicking here . This was Carolyn's favorite charity.

Visitation will be held at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home in Manhattan from 4-7pm on Wednesday, December 14, 2022. Funeral service will be Thursday, December 15, 2022 beginning with prayers at 9:30am at the funeral home followed by procession to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 235 W. North St, Manhattan, for 10am Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will immediately follow Mass at Mount St. Patrick Cemetery, Wilton Center. Arrangements entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home, 507 S. State St., Manhattan, IL 60442, 815-478-3321, www.forsythegouldfh.com.