Hoosick Falls, NY
Mary Rita “Rita” (Finnen) Downey, 87, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2018 at Albany Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. She was the loving wife of the late Thomas “Jim” Downey who passed away on May 27, 2009. They were united in marrage on April 21, 1951 in St. Patrick’s Church in Troy, NY. They were married for fifty-eight years and resided in Hoosick Falls on River Street.
Rita was born on March 20, 1931, in Troy, NY, daughter of the late Thomas F. and Nora (Curran) Finnen Sr. She graduated from Catholic High School Class of 1948 and Troy Business School. Rita was employed as a bookkeeper at Lurie’s Department Store, Falls Hardware and Curtis Lumber. She also served as the Town of Hoosick Assessor and Tax Collector for Hoosick Falls Central School District. Rita was a communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church, where she was also a member of the Catholic Daughters and the Altar & Rosary Society. She was also a member of the Town of Hoosick Democratic Committee and the Red Hat Society. Her greatest joy was time spent with her family. She loved to entertain and enjoyed her home.
Survivors include her children Thomas J. Downey Jr. (Bruce Perrault) of San Diego, CA, Kristin Downey and Stephen Downey both of Saratoga Springs, NY, Patricia Peters (Bill) of Hoosick Falls, NY, Sue Downey Graudons of Greenville, NY, David Downey of Scituate, MA, Matthew Downey (Debra) of Delmar, NY and Carol Ryan (Robert) of Hoosick Falls, her sister Norine Griffith (Vance) of Saratoga Springs, NY and brother Thomas F. Finnen Jr. (Claire) of Millbrook, NY, sister-in-law Ethel Downey of New Lebanon, NY. Loving Nan to Evan, Andrea, Zachary, Mary, Nora, Sean, Ryan, Taryn, David, Peter, Laura, Michael, Jennifer and Christopher, great-grandmother of Alyssa, Madyson, Mason, Audrina, Caleb, Clark, Jackson, Jameson, Sophia, Jayden and Adeline. She was predeceased by her husband James, infant son Keith, daughter Mary, granddaughter Hillary and great-grandson Romello.
A Catholic Mass of Christian Burial was offered on Tuesday August 7 at 11 am, from the First United Presbyterian Church on Main Street in Hoosick Falls. Burial followed the Mass at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Hoosick Falls.
Relatives and friends called at the Mahar Funeral Home in Hoosick Falls on Monday evening, August 6. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Sisters of St. Joseph, Immaculate Conception Church, or the Town of Hoosick Rescue Squad through the funeral home.