Evelyn R. Downs

Evelyn R. Downs of Newark ValleyA beautiful yellow rose, which has shared its love and beauty with us for 83 years, now must live on in our memories.Evelyna Esterina (Pietrosimone) Rose came into this world on February 23, 1930, the fourth child of Antonio Pietrosimone (Tony Rose) and Mary Louise Picciano. On March 24, 2013, she departed, taking with her a small piece of everyone whose life she touched: Sister, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Postmaster, Neighbor, Friend. She was predeceased by her sisters Mary Jordan and Fannie (Philomena) Herbert and is survived by her brother, Dominic Pietrosimone and his wife Marian. She is also survived by her daughters: Lorelei (and Fred) Henderson, Cindy (and Bill) Foster, Pamela (and Mike) Gillow and Michele (and Mark) Strom, and her eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.Evelyn had an extraordinary gift of hospitality that permeated her personal life and her work life. Her door at home was always open, and if you walked in that door you had better eat something or youd never hear the end of it. Her office door was just as open - but no kitchen.Newark Valley wasnt just where she was raised, it was a part of her. First as Telephone Operator, Village Clerk and then as Newark Valley Postmaster for over 20 years, she helped bring a sense of family to the village. Everyone knew Evelyn, and she knew you and your parents, and your aunts and uncles, and your cousins. Oh and your address. She wasnt fond of furry critters, but she always had room in her home and her heart for Newark Valleys children. How many of you considered the woman living at 21 Silk St Mom or Aunt EvelynHer commitment to service continued after retiring from the postal service in 1992. For the next 20 years she worked part time in the village office. She might complain about it once in a while, but she loved to work and to have the chance to interact with her neighbors and friends.A lover of sunflowers, our world will be a little less bright now that she is gone. Our hearts are heavy, which means she gave us the greatest gift of all.Her family will receive friends tonight (Tuesday) from 4-6 PM at the MacPherson Funeral Home, Newark Valley. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 3 PM on Wednesday, Mar. 27th at St. John the Evangelist Church. Rev. William A. Moorby will officiate. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery. Memorials may kindly be directed to St. John the Evangelist Church or Berkshire Emergency Squad, PO Box 506, Newark Valley, NY 13811 in loving memory of Evelyn Downs. Memories and condolences may be written in her guest book at macphersonfh.com