Born in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to Howard and Margaret Hudgens, Jan was many things to many people throughout her life—daughter, sister, life-long dreamer, caregiver, cross-country co-pilot, wife, shenanigan sidekick, mother, happy camper, even-tempered instructor, playmate, comforter-in-chief, boss, constant companion, world traveler, queen of do it yourself, doting grandma, and one true love.
She attended St. Luke’s College of Nursing in Kansas City and moved to San Francisco soon after becoming a registered nurse. In San Francisco, she met Daniel Downey, the love of her life. The two wed three months after meeting and spent the next 50 years chasing the same rainbow’s end.
Jan and Dan started their Downey clan in the San Francisco Bay Area, relocating to different Northern California cities as required by Dan’s job. She built a steady career as a nurse and worked tirelessly until she became Director of Nurses at the Auburn Convalescent Hospital in Auburn, California, and then Medicare consultant for Hillhaven.
Jan was the beating heart of her family and a bottomless source of comfort for all who knew her. She is beloved and survived by siblings Margaret Hunt and Robert Hudgens; her children Sheila Rose, Kathy Downey, Bridget Trejo, Patrick Downey, Sharon Whelan, and Sean Downey; her grandchildren Zoe, Emma, Joseph, Eoin, Maura, Fiona, Matthew, Ronan, Eamon, Elliot, Charlie, and Gabriel; and her great-granddaughter Beverly.
Funeral services will be held Friday, April 14, 2023 at 11:00 am at Whitehurst-Norton-Dias Funeral Service at 286 West Main Street in Turlock, California.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hábitat for Humanity International, 322 West Lamar Street
Americus, Georgia 31709-3543
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstnortondiasfunerals.com for the Downey family.
