Emily R. Downie

Emily R. Downie passed away on Thursday, May 31, 2007 at 6:15 PM at Hospice of Hamilton. She was born on April 23, 1943 at Mercy Hospital, Hamilton, to Ray and Emma Reiter. After Ray’s death, Emma married John Baumann and they joined families and lived in Lindenwald. Upon graduating from Hamilton Garfield in 1961, Emily married Mike Sims and settled into Hamilton’s West Side, where they raised their only child, Brian K. Sims. Emily and Mike were divorced in 1989, and in October, 1990 she married Merle J. Downie of Hamilton. Together they continued to raise Brian along with Merle’s two children, Michael and Tara. During Emily’s life on Earth, besides being a devoted homemaker and mother, she worked at and retired from Hamilton High School, where she was a cafeteria worker and friend to hundreds of students. In the 70’s, Emily was a member of the Hamilton Firefighter Women’s Auxiliary, where she organized and worked on many projects. In 1995, Emily joined the Goldwing Roadriders Association and rode with her husband Merle to many parts of the U.S. and Canada. As a member of Chapter A-2 of Hamilton, Emily volunteered her time for many functions and events, making many friends along the way. Since 2002, Emily also volunteered her time at the Animal Adoption Center on U.S. 27 and the TRI-AD program helping senior citizens through the Butler County Sheriff’s Office. People who knew Emily in the spiritual world knew her as "Lavender M," angel interpreter.

Emily leaves her husband Merle of Hamilton; son Brian Sims and his wife Tonya of Fairfield; stepson Michael Downie and his wife Cynthia of Trenton; stepdaughter Tara Downie of Englewood, Florida; grandchildren Travis, Katelynn, Chanceler, Jewely, Cecily, Bethany, and Carson to be born in August; half-sister Cathy Montgomery of Batavia; and two stepsisters, Lois Baumann and Carol Keip of Lindenwald. She was preceded in death by her parents and a stepbrother, Dick Baumann.

Visitation will be at the Brown-Dawson Funeral Home, 1350 Millville Avenue, on Sunday, June 3, 2007 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. A Mass for Emily will be held the following morning at 10:00 AM at St. Ann Catholic Church, 3028 Pleasant Avenue, in Lindenwald. Those planning to attend, please meet at the church. Cremation will follow at a later date. Donations in Emily Downie’s name can be made to Hospice of Hamilton at 869 NW Washington Blvd., Hamilton 45013.