Eva Werbela Downey, 93 of Norwich, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 15, 2017. Eva was born December 8, 1923, in Earlville NY, the daughter of Joseph and Anna Lucas Werbela. As a child Eva attended a one room schoolhouse then graduated from Earlville High School in 1941. Following high school Eva attended the Utica School of Commerce and upon graduating was employed in Norwich at Bennett Ireland where she met and then married Edward Henry Downey on January 19, 1946. Eva also worked for the C & U Telephone Company, Norwich Pharmaceutical Company and Procter and Gamble. Eva and Ed first resided on Birdsall St. in Norwich then raised their family on Manley Road in the house they built together in 1960.
Eva was an active volunteer sharing her time and talents at the Northeast Classic Car Museum, Chenango Colorscape and, for over 15 years, Eva delivered meals to the elderly for 60 + Meals on Wheels. She was a greeter at St. Paul’s Church and past treasurer for the Ladies of Charity. She very much enjoyed visiting with the elderly and shut-ins and assisting them as needed. Her kitchen cookie jar was always filled with homemade chocolate chip cookies which her grandchildren and great grandchildren made short work of.
Eva was a Purple Tornado fan and followed the many Norwich sports teams her family members participated in over the years. She was also athletic in her own right, playing golf well into her 80’s. Eva was especially proud of her induction into the Norwich Women’s Bowling Hall of Fame.
She is survived by her children and their spouses; Teresa (Maxwell) Blenis, James (Susan) Downey and Edward (Jane) Downey. Eva was proud of her 7 grandchildren; Patrick and Michael Blenis, Matthew, Andrew and Joseph Downey and Ryan and Timothy Downey; and found tremendous joy in her 10 great-grandchildren. Eva is also survived by her brother Stanley Werbela and sisters Anna Kirchbaum and Elizabeth Hipkiss.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by sisters Esther Norris, Isabelle Barre and Helen Taylor and brothers Jerome Werbela and Joseph Werbela.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the Chenango Valley Home for their care and concern for our mother over the last six months.
Calling hours will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday October 18, 2017 at the RJ Fahy Funeral Home and a funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday October 19, 2017 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Norwich. Private interment services will be at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to Holy Family School, 17 Prospect St. Norwich, NY. 13815