Joy Downs

Joy Anderson Downs, 77, of North Haven, wife of John E. Downs, passed away peacefully after a long illness with her loving husband of 46 years by her side on Monday, March 7, 2016 at Connecticut Hospice. Joy was born October 8, 1938 in Bristol. She was the daughter of two proud parents, the late A. Leroy and Edna Claflin Anderson. Joy graduated from Bristol High School and from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine with a Bachelor's Degree in History (1960) and the University of Bridgeport with a Master's Degree in Guidance (1965). She worked as a Social Studies Teacher at Branford Junior High School (1960-65), Guidance Counselor at Amity Junior High School (1965-70), and a Retail Associate at Talbots in Hamden (1990-2003). Joy married John E. Downs in April of 1969 and was a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker. Joy loved to work in her garden and to entertain. She and John were the hosts to many elaborate tailgate parties at the Yale Bowl. Joy loved to travel with her husband from the East Coast to the West, and many states in-between. They enjoyed visiting Canada, Sweden, Denmark, England, Bermuda, Nova Scotia, and her favorite Paris, France. Some of their best times were exploring the State of Maine together and sitting by the lake in Lincolnville. Joy was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd where she served on the Altar Guild and held various positions on the Church Council. She was also a past President of the Lioness Club of New Haven. She was the beloved mother to Kristen (Al) Bruno of Seymour and Andrew (Lisa) Downs of Dover, NH. She adored her three grandchildren, Anthony and Katie Bruno, and Olive Joleen Downs. She is also survived by her brother, John Anderson, and her dear nieces Rachael Anderson Williams and Erica Anderson Warburton. Friends are invited to visit with her family on Friday, March 11th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at BEECHER & BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave, Hamden. A Funeral Service Celebrating Joy's life will take place at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd on Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd, Branford, CT 06405 or Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd Memorial Fund, 3680 Whitney Ave, Hamden, CT 06518-1516.