Adrienne Adler Downs

Dr. Adrienne Adler Downs of McLean, VA, passed peacefully in her home and in the company of her sons the morning of Sunday, December 20, 2021. She was 79. She fought a brief but courageous battle with stage four lung cancer, having received the initial diagnosis in September.

She was born in Memphis, TN, the eldest child of James K. Adler and Margaret W. Adler. She attended Sacred Heart High School, while simultaneously studying music at the Southwestern College (now Rhodes) Preparatory School of Music. At age 16, she became the first high school student allowed to perform with the Southwestern orchestra, playing the entire Grieg A-Minor piano concerto.

She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis), and her Medical Degree from the University of Tennessee. She moved to Washington, DC, upon graduation from medical school. Her career in medicine included service as a private practitioner, as well as on the staff of the Fairfax County Health Department.

Adrienne married James C. Downs (Jim) on December 7, 1966. They were introduced through a mutual friend. Adrienne and Jim made their home in McLean, VA, with their two sons Mark and Brian. Following Jim’s premature death in 1992, Adrienne remained focused on raising her sons as well as part time volunteer work as a physician serving Hospice patients. Adrienne retired from Hospice service in 1998. Her spirit of love, kindness, and generosity will also live on in the hearts of all the people she touched through her extensive mentoring and volunteer work.

During the George W. Bush administration, Adrienne served as a volunteer staff member within the White House Gift Office. Her duties included the inventorying, appraisal, and cataloging of gifts given to the president or members of the first family.

Adrienne spent her retirement years enjoying the company of family and friends. She was a competitive bridge player and participated in tournaments throughout the area. She was deeply involved in the life of her young granddaughter Anna, with whom she maintained a very close relationship. With her sister Michele, she co-authored a memoir, Poplar Street, which chronicled their experiences growing up in a multi-generational household in mid-century Memphis. Deeply committed to her Catholic faith, she was a member of St. Luke’s parish in McLean, and frequently attended daily mass at Missionhurst Chapel in Arlington.

Adrienne is survived by her sons Mark (Marianne) and Brian Downs; granddaughter Anna Downs; sister Michele Adler of Tampa, FL; brother James Kevitt Adler (Diane) of Scottsdale, AZ; three sisters-in-law, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, James Christopher Adler of Destin, FL.

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 15 from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 8pm at Murphy Funeral Homes in Falls Church. A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, January 16 at St. Luke Catholic Church at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Memphis Recovery Center, a campus which now includes the home in which Adrienne grew up; the Salvation Army; or the Women’s Home of Arlington, VA, which provides residential services for women who are recovering from substance abuse.

To view the livestream of the service at St. Luke's Catholic Church, please follow the link below.

https://youtu.be/A9P5IwC39_A