Marion H. Downer

Mrs. Marion H. Downer, age 97, of Gloversville, died Sunday, July 2, 2017 at Nathan Littauer Hospital Nursing Home, Gloversville, following a long illness. She was born August 6, 1919 in Johnstown, the daughter of Alfred and Julia Anna Warren Moyer. She attended the one room school known as the Scotch Bush School from 1926 - 1933, followed by Knox Junior High School and then graduated from Johnstown High School in 1937. On May 29, 1941 she married Dale H. Downer, Sr. who passed away May 20, 1991, just 9 days before they would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Fremont Street United Methodist Church. She was a member of the church since 1938 as well as its Wesleyan Circle, the Administrative Council, the former Couples Club (later known as The Fremonters) which Marion and Dale started in 1946. They were the first Presidents of the club and since Dale's death Marion has served as President several times as well as Vice President, Secretary and also of Sunshine and Publicity and was a Choir Mother for many years. For over 50 years Marion was a member of the former Par-Tee Bowling League where she served as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer for many years. She was a member of Concordia Ladies Singing Society, Lions Auxiliary holding offices as President, Vice-President, Sunshine and Tail Twister. She had also been a member of Cayadutta Chapter Order of the Eastern Star for over 50 years. In her long lifetime she has worked numerous jobs such as at Johnstown Knitting Mill, the telephone company as an operator, Robison & Smith as a switchboard operator, also as a telephone operator in Marysville and Yuba City, California in 1944. She also worked at St. Thomas Inc. and for 18 years at the Leader Herald as an insertor where she retired from in 1992. She worked as a waitress at Glen's Restaurant and also worked at the Gloversville Day Nursery. Marion is survived by her daughter, Carol Ann Rorick and her husband Robert of Gloversville and Lehigh Acres, Florida; her son, Dale H. Downer II and his wife Gail of Mooresville, NC; three grandchildren, Robert A. Rorick II of Gloversville, Joseph M. Rorick of Colorado Springs, CO and Michelle Lynn Downer of Mooresville, NC. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by all five of her siblings, Howard Moyer, Katherine Coonley, Dorothy Smith, Olive Pyne and Madolyn Colson. The family will receive relatives and friends from 2:30PM to 4:30PM Friday, July 7th at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont St, Gloversville, where a Funeral Service will follow at 4:30PM. Interment will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery, Gloversville. Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to Nathan Littauer Hospital Nursing Home, 99 E. State St; Gloversville, or to the charity of your choice