Obituary of Wilhelmina R. Downs

SELKIRK - On December 18, 2014, Wilhelmina (Wil) Rouweler Downs 78, passed away peacefully in Selkirk, NY, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Family members and her husband of 46 years, Stephen (Steve) Downs were at her bedside. Wil was born in the Netherlands on December 18, 1936. She lived through the German occupation of World War II, and later became a pediatric nurse. In 1965, she joined the Dutch Peace Corps and lived for two years in India where she was involved in public health projects. There she met Steve who served in the American Peace Corps. Two years later they were married in her hometown of Goor, the Netherlands, and then settled in New York State where they brought up their three children. Wil was known and beloved for the quilts she made and gave to charity, for her love of flowers, and for her dedication to church, friends, and family. She was a hospice volunteer for many years. Over the years she and Steve sponsored refugees, including families from Poland, Vietnam, and Iran, all of whom became part of their extended family. Her joy was in service to others and in the beauty and peace of the world. Wil was the loving mother of three children and "Oma" to six grandchildren: Margot (husband Paul, children Maya and Anna, of Yarmouth, ME); Roger (wife Meredith, children Hazel and Henry, of Coxsackie, NY); and Philip (wife Jillian, children Ava and Louise, of Silver Spring, MD). She was the sister of six siblings in the Netherlands: Regien† (husband Bert†); Jos (husband Hans); Carel (wife Coby); Gerard (wife Mies); Maria (husband Dick); and Paul; and aunt to nieces and nephews in the Netherlands and United States. Wil is survived by her mother-in-law, Elinor (Fuzzy) Downs; her sister-in-law, Patricia Berger (husband Bob); and abundant Dutch, German, New Zealander, Turkish, and American friends who were her constant source of strength and inspiration. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Friday, December 26th from 4 to 7 pm at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am on Saturday, December 27th at St. Francis of Assisi Parish – South End Site, Fourth Ave. at Franklin St., Albany. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. John's/St. Ann's Outreach Center, 88 Fourth Ave., Albany, NY 12202-1922.