Margaret Downes

Margaret Downes died March 26, 2023 in her home in Manchester, NH surrounded by family.

Born in Sheffield, England, Margaret was delighted to celebrate her 90^th birthday last December 20th with family and friends. Carrying on her legacy are her three children: Jack and his wife Jane, Mary and her husband Christopher, and Liz, who has been Margaret’s best friend and housemate for the last two years. Margaret holds a very special place in the hearts of her grandchildren Tom Wood, Libby Childs, Kate Wood and Emily Wood, Haley Dunning and Rowan Dunning, David Downes and Gregory Downes, as well as her singular great-grandson, Tristan Childs. Margaret is predeceased by the love of her life John Downes, who died in 2004, as well as her brother Wilfred Window, who died in 2012.

Trained as a midwife and nurse in England, Margaret came to the States in 1955. Though she had planned to stay for just six months to work at Eliot Hospital, she fell in love, got married, and raised a family in Weare, NH. After nursing, Margaret had a productive career in Concord, working first for Family Planning, then subsequently in the Division of Welfare, Elderly and Adult Services. After retirement, she became an active volunteer with Osher Lifelong Learning and was a dedicated supporter of many non-profit organizations and political causes.

An accomplished artisan, Margaret loved to knit, paint, quilt and sew, among other pursuits. A gardener of both vegetables and flowers, Margaret had a particular fondness for lilacs, daffodils, roses and English wallflowers. She also loved to cook and was known especially for her Yorkshire pudding, New England clam chowder, pecan pie and apple pie, which her husband John liked with a hunk of cheddar cheese. She also loved crossword puzzles and playing cribbage with her grandkids. Needless to say, she will be sorely missed.

SERVICES:  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023, 3:00PM at The Cremation Society of NH, 243 Hanover Street, in Manchester, NH.

In lieu of cut flowers please consider sending a flowering plant that can take root and flourish for years to come or make a donation to a nonprofit organization or political cause in her name to do the same.

Cremation Society of NH is assisting the family with arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolence, or for more information please go to https://csnh.com/