Loretta "Lori" June Downer

Our beloved daughter, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, and friend Loretta (Lori) June Downer returned to her heavenly father on November 13th, 2022, at the age of 87. Lori was born in Cleveland, Ohio on March 10th, 1935 unto Daisy B. and Alvin L. Tate.

She was a lover of the fine arts and enjoyed photography, painting, sewing and all manner of crafts throughout her life. Her complete collection of original oil portraits of the 45 past United States Presidents was proudly displayed in the window of the former Penny Court building in 2020.

In the community her involvement was wide ranging including being a founding member of The Cambridge Performing Arts Center in the 1970’s, creation of Country Bits and Pieces as well as her own photography studio downtown, and employment at The Elks, Midtown News, and Cracker Barrel. She lovingly created and donated quilts to several organizations throughout the community. In 2021 she handcrafted hundreds of COVID masks which she freely offered to anyone in need. One of her greatest loves was traveling to events and wineries with the Friends of Corvair club for which she served as secretary.

She was a parishioner of Christ Our Light Parish for more than forty years where she was involved with the children's education classes and served as a Eucharistic Minister.

Lori’s caring spirit and generous heart could be felt by anyone she came in contact with. She had a special gift of seeing the good in everyone and sharing her beautiful smile. She loved her family above all else and the greatest joys of her life were centered around family occasions.

Lori was preceded in death by her parents, her ex-husband Earnest R. Cross and her son Michael R. Cross.

Lori is survived by her husband of twenty-eight years John Downer; her daughter Shari L. (Arthur) Hayes, stepdaughters Erica (Dori) Downer-Haxhi and Tonya (Kevin) Gatewood; sister Barbara Hackett of Cleveland; grandsons Robert M. Marshall, Evan T. (Journey) Hayes, William, and Christopher Ward; great granddaughter Jocelyn Marshall and six nieces and nephews.

Cremation will be observed, and a Catholic Memorial Service will be held at Christ Our Light Parish, 701 Gomber Avenue Cambridge, Ohio on November 23rd, 2022. Friends may call from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM with a Funeral Mass to begin at 11:00 AM  with Rev. Father Paul Hrezo officiating, followed by inurnment at Guernsey Memory Gardens.

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