Lillian "Witt" “Kay” Downes

Lover of grandchildren, coffee and catfish Lillian "Kay" Downes (Witt) left the confines of the physical world on August 7, 2020, in Albuquerque, NM. She was preceded in death by her father Clifford Witt, her mother, Lillian "Blanche" Ward (Adiar), her brother, Thomas Witt, her husband, James "Irl" Downes and her brother, Paul Witt. Kay is survived by her children and their spouses, Lawrence Paul Downes and Rhonda Downes (Fortin), Paula "Sue" Downes and Mary Nell Creech (Downes) and William "Billy" Creech, her grandchildren, Kaitlan Anne Downes, Abigail Leigh Downes, Jerod Michael Creech, and Marissa Gayle Creech. Kay will be laid to rest in Carlsbad, NM, alongside her husband, Irl. There will be no formal ceremonies. Kay was born April 5, 1945, in Las Cruces, NM, to Clifford and Blanche. She was the baby of the family and told her children many stories of growing up as the little sister. When she was very young, the family moved to Willcox, AZ, where they started a restaurant. Everyone helped in the family business. Kay did her part by waiting on tables throughout her high school years. It was while waiting tables that she met Irl Downes. He was a handsome roughneck, nine years her senior. For him, it was love at first sight. They married on February 8, 1963. The couple had their first child, Lawrence, in late December 1963. The young family followed drilling projects around Arizona and New Mexico for several years. They were living in Phoenix, AZ, on May 4, 1968, when Sue was born. She was premature and stayed in the hospital for several months. She was so small the hospital staff initially told Kay the baby didn't survive to spare her trauma. Kay always insisted that she never believed them. Fortunately, Sue was a fighter. Four years later, on February 22, 1972, Mary was born in Carlsbad, NM. Soon after, the family returned to Willcox, where Kay managed the office at Arizona Feeds while Irl drilled water wells, and together they raised their family. A decade later, the family moved back to New Mexico, eventually settling in Socorro where both girls graduated high school. Irl worked at New Mexico Tech, and Kay had several part-time jobs along the way, including receptionist in a real estate office and working in the 19th hole canteen on the college's golf course. Kay and Irl treated their kid's friends and students at the college like family. They always knew that they would get a meal and warm welcome when they showed up at the house. When they retired, Kay and Irl moved to Carlsbad, NM, and ultimately to Albuquerque, where Sue and Mary live. They shared a home with Sue for their remaining years. Kay was an ever-present supporter at her grandkids, Jerod's and Marissa's, swim or gymnastics competitions. The grandchildren that lived across the country, Kaitlan and Abigail, were not forgotten, and one summer were treated to a week in Disney World with grandma, sans parents. Kay loved and was proud of her children and grandchildren and always showed it freely. Her last decade was not easy. Irl passed away from cancer in 2010, and respiratory disease made everyday activity difficult for Kay. Yet, she still found the strength to laugh and love. Kay spent her final years with her daughter, Sue, who was not only a loving daughter but a constant companion and dedicated caretaker. From her birth, Sue was Kay's obstinate angel. Kay. Mama. Mom. Grandma. She loved her grandchildren, Yuban coffee, and fried catfish. We take comfort in knowing she's finally comfortable, taking deep breaths, and enjoying Irl's warm, but often too tight, embrace. Arrangements Entrusted to: Riverside Funeral Home 225 San Mateo Blvd. NE 505-764-9663