Jane Sheredith Ferrell Downey was born May 24 1940 in Orlando General Hospital, Orlando, Florida.
She attended Elementary, Junior and High Schools in Orange County, graduating from Boone High School in 1958. After high school, Jane attended Young Harris College in Georgia. She then returned to Orlando and got a job at Chickasaw Elementary as Secretary to the Principal.
Jane met the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Theron Downey at Orlando’s Over 18 Club in late 1960. Their engagement made “news“ and several articles were featured in the Orlando Sentinel newspaper.
Jane and Dick were married on April 19, 1962 at Goss Memorial United Methodist Church in Orlando. Again a newsworthy event documented in the newspaper.
Jane become a stay at home Mom when her daughter, Sydney Anne, was born on their second anniversary in April of 1964. In September of 1966, Richard Theron Jr was born. Then in August of 1975, Andrew Alan completed the family.
Jane was involved in many volunteer activities in the school and church until she rejoined the work force in 1980.
Jane worked several years in administrative jobs before she joined Westminster Towers. She retired after 25 years of service at the young age of 79 as the Executive Administrative Assistant to the CEO of Westminster Communities of Florida.
Jane was a lifelong Methodist and attended Goss Memorial until she and Dick joined Pinecastle United Methodist Church. During her many years at Pinecastle, she was involved in Sunday school, Ladies Circles, sang in the choir, and served on many church committees. She then joined Conway United Methodist Church and continued to be involved in Sunday School, Bible Studies and Church Committees.
Jane was the first resident of The Registry of Michigan Park and her volunteer work continued serving as Secretary, Treasurer and President of the HOA.
Jane’s hobbies included sewing, crafting, reading, and music. She learned to play the keyboard and sang in the Church choir.
In addition to her children, Jane was blessed with 4 grandchildren and 1 great grandson.
Jane departed this world on Thanksgiving morning November 24, 2022 after exactly 82 and 1/2 years to be reunited in Heaven with her husband, Dick.
Jane was preceded in death by her parents, Sidney and Edythe Ferrell, and her loving husband, Richard “Dick” Downey.
She is survived by daughter Sydney and husband Norm, son Rich (Jr) and wife Lisa, and son Andrew and wife Paula; 4 grandchildren, Sean and wife Angie, Joshua, Landon, and Avery; and, 1 great grandson, Conor.
Please join us for a brief Visitation from 10:00-10:30am on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at Woodlawn Funeral Home. The Celebration of Jane’s Life will follow at 11:00am in the same location, outdoors, in front of the Life of Christ mosaic mausoleum. A reception will immediately follow inside.