It is with great sadness that the family of the late Mary Ann Downey (Shea) announces her passing from the Baie Verte Peninsula Health Centre, Baie Verte, NL on Friday, November 11, 2022 at the age of 84 years.

Mary Ann was born on November 13, 1937 to Thomas and Estelle Shea in Fleur de Lys, NL. She married Elias Downey on November 8, 1955 and settled in Baie Verte to raise their nine children.

Mary Ann was a wonderful wife and mother and a doting grandmother.

Mary Ann was also a surrogate mother to many of the children in the neighborhood. Our house was always full and many mouths were fed. She also opened our home on many wintery nights for men at the mines that couldn't get home.

Mary Ann was a great storyteller. She had a great memory and loved to share her stories with everyone whether they wanted to hear it or not.

Mary Ann will be greatly missed by all her friends and family.

Left to cherish a lifetime of incredible memories are her children, Joseph Downey (Brenda Durkin), Flin Flon, MB, Stella Sacrey (Eddie Philpott), Pigeon Lake, AB, Elias Downey Jr., Middle Sackville, NS, Tony Downey (Hazel), Fort McMurray, AB, Bernadette Downey (Edgar Jacobs), Nine Mile River, NS, Fernando Downey (Edna), Fort McMurray, AB, Paulette Drover (Bud), Sherwood Park, AB and Desiree Ricketts (John), Fort McMurray, AB; grandchildren, Jamie-Leigh (Dieter), Kent (Cindy), Mark, , Lacey (Mike), Nathan (Lily), Megan, Krista, Brooke, Greg (Natalie), Tyler, Claudette (Gibson), Jennifer, Blaire (Millie), Jonnie (Shane) and Jake; great-grandchildren, Logan, Devon, Kylan, Scarlet, Jayden, Gracie, Vanessa, Josh, Ben, Elias, Athena, Althea and Willis; siblings, Peter Shea, Ruby Cousins (John), Edna Belliveau (Ray), Carmel Alyward (Loyola), Lucy Tobin (Pat), Gerald Shea and Tom Shea (Helena); sister-in-law, Lorraine Shea; Exploits Home Healthcare Staff; as well as a large circle of nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends.

Mary Ann is predeceased by her husband, Elias Downey Sr.; infant son, John Downey; daughter-in-law, Mary Ellen Downey; son-in-law, Ronald Sacrey; parents, Thomas and Stella Shea; siblings, Florence Traverse (Bill), Madeline Traverse (Clarence) and Joseph Shea; parents-in-law, John A. and Mae Downey; siblings-in-law, Lizzie-Ann Shea and Beth Sampson.

Public visitation took place from Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Baie Verte, NL on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 from 7-9 pm, continuing on Thursday, November 17, 2022 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm.

The Rosary Service took place on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 7 pm.

The Mass of Christian Burial took place from St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, Baie Verte, NL on Friday, November 18, 2022 at 1 pm with Father Camillus Ekedobe officiating. Interment followed from St. Pius X Roman Catholic Cemetery, Baie Verte, NL.

As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary Ann's memory to the Alzheimer's Society, 835 Topsail Road Unit 107, Mount Pearl, NL A1N 3J6.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, 22 Main Street, Baie Verte, NL.