Lenore Alice (Fresen) Downing

Lenore "Lee" Alice (Fresen) Downing of Durham, CT passed away peacefully on September 28th, 2021. Born on April 9th, 1938, the daughter of C. William and N. Ruth  (Paul) Fresen.

 Lee spent her childhood in New Britain and at her family's summer cottage at Lake Congamond. A graduate of University of Connecticut, Lee worked as an elementary school teacher, a bookkeeper, and most recently, as an enrolled agent for H&R Block. She was most proud of her two sons, her three grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, and travelling the world with her dear sister, Beverly (Fresen) Gerosa.

Her parents, husband James S. Downing, and beloved nephew William Gerosa predeceased her. She is survived by her sons Scott and his wife Azita and son Kiyan, and Richard and his wife Sue and children Megan and Sean.

A longtime member of the Durham Crazy Ladies, she loved living in Durham, and cherished her friends and daily walks through the neighborhood. Lee served as Superintendent of Needlework for the Durham Fair for many years. She also enjoyed spending summers at her home in Drakes Island Maine, where she hosted many memorable family reunions. Holidays were a favorite time for her, when she baked numerous Christmas cookies and breads.

Service will be held graveside at 11am on Monday, October 4th at Mica Hill Cemetery in Durham, CT. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent in Lenore's name to Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, One Church Street, 8th Floor New Haven, CT 06510 or online at https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/alzheimers/   (on the first page scroll down to Support the Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit).

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