Bernice Tracy Downs

Bernice was born in Philadelphia, PA on October 20, 1921 and two weeks later moved with her family to West Palm Beach. She was a pioneering member of Palm Beach County. Bernice graduated from St. Ann’s School in West Palm Beach. She worked as a telephone operator for Bell Telephones during World War II. She and her husband, Duke, started Downs Construction Company in 1945. Bernice did all of the bookkeeping for Downs Construction Company for 40 years. She and Duke also owned several apartments on Palm Beach Shores and Bernice managed those while raising her family. After Bernice and Duke retired from the construction business, they both worked at another family business, Gallery One in Lake Park.

Bernice was a devoted wife and Mother. She especially enjoyed activities, travel, and holidays that centered around family. She loved being on the water and spent many weekends in the 50’s and 60’s water skiing in the intercostal. When she turned 70, she traded in her water skis for a jet ski. She and Duke could be seen jet skiing up and down the waterways well into their 80’s. Bernice and Duke loved to travel and enjoyed many adventures over the years. They traveled extensively through the states, Canada, and the Caribbean and finally found their favorite spot in the mountains of North Carolina where they spent summers during their retirement.

Bernice was preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Francis “Duke” Downs, her beloved sister, Sara Senecal, brother Charles, and brothers-in-law Robert, Jimmy, Billy, Ted, and sisters-in-law Virginia and Helen. In addition to her children, she is also survived by sisters-in-law Carolyn Downs and Jackie Downs and many loving nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 29th from 2:00-4:00 at Howard-Quattlebaum 754 US Highway One in North Palm Beach. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 on Monday, November 30th at St. Clare Catholic Church, 821 Prosperity Farms Road, North Palm Beach, FL.