Janice "Jan" Carolyn Downey's Obituary
Janice “Jan” Carolyn Downey, 89, of Berea, Ohio passed away peacefully on November 24, 2023, in the company of her family. She was born January 14, 1934, in Cleveland, Ohio to William J. and Hermine Schuster.
She was a devoted wife to Arthur Dwight, a loving mother to their 4 daughters, and a cherished sister. She was a dedicated Registered Nurse and Director of Nursing to her many patients and staff members throughout her 40-year career. Janice volunteered with Campfire Girls and the Fairwood Elementary PTO for the many years her daughters were involved there. She later volunteered as a reader and grandparent volunteer in the Berea School District when her grandsons were at Parknoll Elementary.
She was very involved in her grandchildren’s chosen activities and an avid spectator of those events. She attended countless dance recitals, soccer games, cheerleading competitions, Tae Kwon Do tournaments, and tests with enthusiasm and pride. Her first question when calling her daughters was always about the grandchildren and then the great-grandchildren. They were all her pride and joy.
Jan is survived by her loving family and children, Carol Fuller (David), Debra Miller, Sandy Soltis (James), and Kathy Downey (Michael Hose). Additionally, her beloved grandchildren Douglas Miller, Christopher Miller (Meghan), Ethan Miller (Jessica), John Grabowski (Dakota), Matthew Grabowski, Haile Fuller (Ethan Krupa), Brienne Fuller, and Tarah Fuller. As well as her treasured great-grandchildren Ava Miller, Savannah Miller, Carson Miller, Natalie Miller, and Hudson Grabowski. Also, her devoted brother William J. Schuster, Jr., of Oakland, Maryland, and Arthur and Janice’s dear friend, Wade Spafford.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband Arthur and her sister-in-law Delores Schuster.
The family would like to thank the staff at Ruby Memorial Hospital, particularly the hospice staff, in Morgantown, West Virginia for their wonderful care of Janice and the family during this difficult time.
A Service of Christian Burial will be held Friday, December 1st, 2023, beginning with Visitation at 1:00 PM at Sunset Memorial Park, Chapel 3, 6245 Columbia Road, North Olmsted, Ohio 44070. Service will begin at 2:00 PM, followed by a short prayer at the graveside at Sunset Memorial Park following the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the WVU Foundation in memory of Janice.
Donations can be made online at Give WVU Hospice Foundation by clicking Donate Now and selecting the memorial gift. If you choose to mail a gift, simply address the envelope:
WVU Foundation
One Waterfront Place – 7th Floor
PO Box 1650
Morgantown, WV 26507-1650
Checks should be made payable to the WVU Foundation, Inc.
For an in-memorial gift, please include a note with:
Name of the deceased and date of death
Please note: A letter is sent to the surviving family with the name and address of the donor(s), but not the amount of the gift.
What’s your fondest memory of Janice "Jan"?
What’s a lesson you learned from Janice "Jan"?
Share a story where Janice "Jan"'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Janice "Jan" you’ll never forget.
How did Janice "Jan" make you smile?
