Nelita Rae (Stewart) Downs

Nelita Rae (Stewart) Downs, 77, of East Hartford, loving wife for over 59 years of Donald M. Downs, passed away suddenly on Saturday, January 2, 2016. Born in Hollenberg, KS on May 7, 1938, a daughter of the late Wayne and Mildred (Cecrle) Stewart, she had been a resident of East Hartford since 1964. Prior to her retirement, Nelita was employed as a Para Professional by the Town of East Hartford Board of Education where she helped children with special needs for over 20 years. Nelita was an avid reader and walker who walked faithfully for the past nine years at Buckland Hills Mall as a ""Mall Walker"". Nelita loved camping and traveling throughout the country with her husband, and was an awesome cook who enjoyed making meals for her family and friends. Most of all, Nelita lived her life for her adored grandchildren as she was proud to care for them and affectionately be called ""Grammy"" by all of them and others. Besides her beloved husband, Nelita is survived by two devoted sons, Steven W. Downs and his wife, Sue, of Stafford Springs, and Kevin B. Downs and his wife, Cathy, of Coventry; five cherished grandchildren, Kelly Proulx and her husband, Mike, of Vernon, Courtney Downs of West Hartford, Sarah Downs of Stafford Springs, Ashley Downs of Coventry, and Steven ""Cody"" Downs of Stafford Springs. She also leaves a brother, Edward Stewart and his wife, Sonja, of Spring, TX; three special sisters, Regene Prilliman of Wichita, KS, Wynetta Schaffer of South Haven, KS, and Rev. Diana Stewart and her husband, Rev. Larry Myers, of Plains, KS; a sister-in-law, Jacquie Wadsworth of Suffield; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Funeral service will be Thursday (January 7, 2016) at 11 am at the D'Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford with her sister and brother-in-law co-officiating. Burial will follow at Silver Lane Cemetery, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Wednesday (January 6, 2016) from 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Nelita's name may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place. Memphis, TN 38105. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.