Jean Ianthe Downes née Mayers, aged 86 of Glenburnie, St. John and the UK.
Daughter of the late Samuel and Talitha Yarde;
Wife of the late Leroy Bertram Downes;
Cherished mother of Marva and Sonya Downes;
Grandmother of Rhian Cyrus, Ramona and Rishona Downes, Rhizanne and Rhisha Cyrus, Rhichandra and Rhikayla Downes-Cyrus and Rhia Downes;
Great grandmother of Bleu Taniel Skye, Rakai, Ro’mari, Ro’marni, Ray’ion, Raniya and Rakiem Downes;
Sister of Isa Simon, Stephnie Payne (Canada); the late Sylvie Sealy, Arnetta Straker, John and Oscar Yarde, Joseph Mayers (Joe Yarde) and Gridine Holder;
Aunt of Maureen Elliott (Canada) many others;
Relative of the Mayers, Yarde and Lewis families and many others;
Friend of Hilda Hinkson, Ondine Holder, Shernel Maughn and many others.
The funeral of the late Jean Ianthe Downes leaves Downes and Wilson Funeral Home, Eagle Hall, St. Michael on Friday, February 24, 2023 for St. Margaret’s Anglican Church, New Castle, St. John where relatives and friends are asked to meet at 2 p.m. for the service, followed by the interment in the churchyard.
The Organist and members of the choir are kindly asked to attend. Wreaths may be sent to Downes and Wilson Funeral Home no later than 11 a.m. on Friday, February 24, 2023.
Relatives and friends may pay their last respects at Downes and Wilson Funeral Home, Eagle Hall, St. Michael on Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 4 – 6 p.m.
Live streaming via https://viewthis.live/JeanDownes
Condolence(1) 
Hugh Neville Springer says
February 24, 2023 at 7:40 pmFrom: Hugh Neville Springer
Tribute to Jean Downes
I first met Jean Downes in my office when she came in for a consultation concerning some remarks a
Teacher made to her Grand Daughter. She looked quietly hostile and demanded satisfaction.
As I leafed through the report book searching for the Teacher’s record of the incident, I kept watching
her. Suddenly she said “Mr. Springer what you watching me for, you like me?” I said “yes and I hope
when I start to deal with this matter that you will behave yourself in there. By the way, you said you are
the grandmother but you look like the mother”. She laughed and said “Mr. Springer you are as young as
you feel.”
The matter was settled to her satisfaction and before she left the office she said I must come and visit
her sometime.
On my first visit to Jean’s home I was warmly welcomed, the hospitality was great and after lunch we sat
and talked about London where she lived for many years. She was shocked that I knew so much about
London and England and it seemed like a conversation between two returning nationals.
During the 20 years that I knew Jean, I noticed the loving care she gave to her six granddaughters and
this reminded me of what my friend in Guyana once said, “Grand mothers are the best Parents.”
She loved animals and even strays and she had a green thumb, she liked to plant things around the
house, some of which she shared with me.
Every time she returned from London I was sure to get gifts. In fact she once went on a cruise and
brought back a model of the cruise Liner, that model she gave to me, her dear friend.