Rochelle P. Downs, 72, of Whitefield, passed away unexpectedly on May 21 at Maine Medical Center in Portland from complications related to a devastating stroke.
She was born in Augusta on Oct. 12, 1942, to Lester H. Parlin and Mattie L. Parlin. She attended Gardiner Area High School and graduated in 1960. Rochelle worked for the Internal Revenue Service, during which time she met Roger C. Downs Sr., and were married on Dec. 30, 1961. The next three years were busy ones, as they welcomed their three children, Vicki, Roger Jr., and Daniel.
In 1973 the family moved to Freeport where Rochelle worked at Down’s Foods until 1982. But first and foremost, she loved being a wife, mother and “Nanny” to her three granddaughters. They were her pride and joy. She loved spending time with them, showering them with love and seizing every opportunity to show them how special they were to her. She was happiest when all of her family was together at their home in Whitefield enjoying holidays, meals and each other.
Rochelle was the most thoughtful and kind person. For many years she sent baked goods to friends and neighbors and bought Christmas presents, as well as Halloween and Easter goodies for the children in Whitefield.
She was famous for the lost art of letter writing. She sent cards and notes to family and friends alike to keep everyone close. She was the matriarch and the glue of her family.
She was predeceased by her father, Lester; sister, Eugenia; and son, Roger Jr.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Roger Sr.; mother, Mattie; daughter, Vicki and husband Joe Legere, and their daughters Blair and Grace of Falmouth; son, Daniel and partner Claude of Saco; ex-daughter-in-law, Peggy Flanagan of Whitefield; granddaughter, Carly Downs of Boston, Mass.; sister, Marilyn Allen and husband David of Litchfield; and many other relatives, cousins, nieces and nephews she loved very much.
A celebration of her life will be held at 1 p.m., Thurs., May 28 at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner. A graveside service will follow at the Whitefield Plains Cemetery, Route 218. A reception will follow at the Kings Mills Union Hall in Whitefield.
