Obituary of Jane E. Downing

Jane Elizabeth (Raab) Downing, 62, passed away on September 6, 2017 at the Clarkston Specialty Healthcare Center in Clarkston, Michigan.  Her Memorial Service was held on September 8 at the Modetz Funeral Home in Orion Township, MI.  Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery on July 2, 2018 at 2 PM.

Jane was born on July 2, 1955 in Clinton, Iowa, the daughter of Ernest Raab and Dorothy (Saville) Raab.  She graduated from Mount St. Claire Academy in 1973 and from the University of Iowa in 1977 with a business degree.  And, in 1989, she earned a Master’s Degree from Oakland University in Rochester, MI.  

On May 26, 1979, Jane was united in marriage to Dr. David Downing at St. Mary’s Church in Clinton.  They resided in the Lake Orion, MI area.  While in Michigan, Jane worked first for Oakland University, then for Durakon Industries and finally Kelly Services, Inc. until her retirement in 2009. Jane served on the Board of Trustees and as Treasurer of the Women's Survival Center (Pontiac, MI.) and on the Board of Trustees of Freedom House (Detroit, MI.)

Jane had many interests in life.  She had exquisite taste in clothes; she and David were connoisseurs who enjoyed visiting fine restaurants and cooking together.  She also relished reading (especially biographies), classic movies and vacations on Mackinac Island.  But, above all, Jane cherished the time with her nieces and nephews.  Jane was the aunt who always chose the perfect gift, was willing at anytime to read a story and gave the best hugs. 

Jane was preceded in death by her father.

She is survived by her husband, David, her brothers, John (Peg) Raab of Iowa City, IA and Michael (Sheri) Raab of Boone, IA.  Jane’s nieces and nephews are: Rebecca Raab (Mikko Wolf) of Chicago, Kevin Raab (Kathleen Montes) of Crossroads, TX , Julie (Bryan) Artman of Spring, TX and Adam (Jolene) Raab of Iowa City, IA.  Her grandnieces and nephews are: Olivia and Bryan Michael Artman of Spring, Tx, Gwendolyn and Calvin Raab of Iowa City, IA, and Paavo Wolf of Chicago.

Jane is deeply missed by her family.