Antoinette (Annette) R. Downing of North Haven passed away peacefully at the CT Hospice, Branford on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, a day before her 92nd birthday. She was born in New Haven on January 23, 1927, the daughter of the late Vito and Marietta Ramunni, and was the beloved wife of the late Thomas Downing, Sr. Known affectionately by her family as Mimi, she will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her four children: Wenona Lopez (Carlos), Sandra Downing (Ted Freeman), Annette Sauerbrunn (Bob), and Thomas Downing Jr. (Lauren). She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, her sister Anne Angeloni, several nieces and nephews, and her sister-in-laws, Rose Ramunni, and Anne and Marjorie Downing. She was predeceased by her brothers Frank and Angelo Ramunni, as well as her many beloved pet cats over the years.
After graduating from Commercial High School in New Haven, Annette met the love of her life,Tom, to whom she was married for 58 years before his passing in 2005. She was a devoted parishioner of St. Therese Church in North Haven for 55 years and was a member of the Ladies Guild as well as a CCD teacher for many years. She was also a member of the North Haven Senior Center for more than 20 years, where she enjoyed the friendships of many, especially in her knitting and ceramics groups. Above all, she treasured time spent with her family, especially weekly Sunday dinners at her home, where everyone was always welcome. Her family would like to sincerely thank the staff at CT Hospice for their loving and compassionate care during the last month.
The visiting hours will be on Friday from 5 to 7pm at the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish at St. Therese Church, 555 Middletown Avenue, North Haven Saturday morning at 10:00. Interment will follow in the North Haven Center Cemetery, Elm St. Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to The Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Rd., Branford CT 06405 or The Animal Haven of North Haven, 89 Mill Rd. North Haven CT 06473.