Obituary of Sharene Hope Downing

Sharene "Sherry" Hope Downing (nee Higgins), age 83, passed away January 22, 2022 after a brief illness. She had lived in Sewell (Mantua Township) for the past 56 years. Born December 3, 1938 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, she was the 2nd of 8 children born to Edwin Price Higgins and Mildred May Makibbin. Her oldest sibling passed away as an infant, so Sherry was the big sister to the children who came after. She was just a few months old when her family moved to the Panama Canal Zone, where she spent her early childhood years. She graduated from Ysleta High School in El Paso, Texas. Sherry married George Jay Downing of Hi-Nella, New Jersey on March 6, 1956 at the Mesa Arizona temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was an active member of the church from her youth, and served and volunteered in many ways. She was a homemaker and lovingly raised seven children. She was a diarist, writer, poet, pianist, and singer, and passed along these interests and talents to her descendants. As her children grew, she would often work as a professional secretary at various offices across South Jersey. Sherry is survived by her husband George; seven children: Thomas Downing (Cindy) of Sewell; Melissa Burton (Bob) of Grain Valley, Missouri; Laurie Flores (Mario) of San Tan Valley, Arizona; Jared Downing (Sarah) of Rocky Mount, North Carolina; Lucinda Berge (Gerald) of Odessa, Missouri; Richard Downing (Nancy) of Austin, Texas; and Elizabeth Kellum (Brady) of Clayton; four siblings: brother David Higgins (Barbara) of Russellville, Arkansas; brother Bart Higgins (Barbara) of North Carolina; sister Linda Watson (Seth) of Fayetteville, Arkansas; and brother James Higgins (Patricia) of Fayetteville, Arkansas; 25 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by two sisters: Coral Lee Higgins and Patricia Robertson; a brother, Michael Higgins; and a grandson, Luke Burton. Relatives and friends are invited to call from 9:30 to 11am on Saturday, January 29th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 259 Lambs Rd., Sewell. The funeral service will be at 11 am. Interment at Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Williamstown. Memories may be shared at www.kelleyfhpitman.com.