Phyllis Jean Downey

Phyllis Jean (Orth) Downey, age 76, of Middletown, a devoted wife and mother of five, died on Monday, June 17, 2013 in the presence of family after battling complications from a stroke suffered March 3. She was born in Middletown on Feb. 3, 1937, to immigrant parents Emrick and Mary (Osust) Orth of Slovensky Grob and Trnava, Slovakia.

The youngest of eight children, Mrs. Downey was raised by her father and elder sister from age 10 following the early death of her mother. She graduated from Fenwick High School in 1954, as part of the school's second graduating class. Prior to marriage, she worked as a secretary in the market development division of Armco Steel Corp., and appeared as a model in a range of company promotional materials. While nurturing a growing family, she worked at home as bookkeeper and radio dispatcher for the family business, Reynolds Electric Co., which her husband owned and operated for more than 40 years. Later, as an empty-nester, she worked for more than a decade as a pharmacy technician at Warehouse Drugs, RiteAid and CVS. She also volunteered as a Candy Striper at Middletown Regional Hospital, worked bingo nights weekly at St. John's Church, and further served those in need as a community assistance coordinator at the St. Vincent DePaul Society.

She was baptized and married at St. John's and remained a loyal parishioner at the consolidated Holy Family parish.

Mrs. Downey is survived by her beloved husband of 54 years, John W. (Jack) Downey; their sons, Bob of Leuven, Belgium, Tom (Jen) of Glenview, IL, John (Kim) of Loveland, OH, Joe (Kaori) of Tiburon, CA, and Jim of Manchester, NH; nine grandchildren, Thomas, Megan, and Bridget of Loveland; Henry, Samantha, Elizabeth, Ben, and Luke of Glenview; and Isamu of Tiburon; brother Joseph (Bebe) of Trenton, OH; sisters-in-law, Ruth and Mary Ann Downey; Carol Orth and Shirley Orth all of Middletown and 21 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father (1948, 1979) and six siblings: Anna Orth (1923), Mary Larock (2009), Ann Lehman (2012), Henry (1980), John (1992), and Paul (2011).

Visitations will be held Friday, June 21st from 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Wilson Schramm Spaulding Memorial Home, 3805 Roosevelt Blvd., Middletown. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30 a.m. at St. John's Church, 1405 First Ave., Middletown with Father John Civille as celebrant.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society or Abilities First, both of Middletown, or Hospice of Butler and Warren Counties, which provided dignity and comfort in her final days.

Funeral Home:
Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding
3805 Roosevelt Blvd.
Middletown, OH
US 45044