Carol Ann Downey Dienes

Carol Ann Downey Dienes, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on May 31st, 2022. Born the day after Christmas, 1931, she was the devoted wife of 63 years of the late Jack D. Dienes and was the proud mother of three children: Colleen Dienes Hawley Fields (James), Edward Downey Dienes (Beth), and Michelle Dienes Douglas (Stephen). “Grandmommy” adored her seven grandchildren, Patrick E. Dienes (Katie), Betsy Dienes Hoskins (Geoff), Caroline T. Dienes, Mark T. Hawley, Jr. (Maria), Jack D. Hawley (Adrian), S. Keller Douglas, Jr. (fiancée-Brittany Folse), and Christopher D. Douglas. She was ecstatic and said, “Sure a little bit of Heaven fell from out the sky one day” when her first great-granddaughter, Hunter Grace Dienes, was born, and rejoiced with the arrival of each new great-grandchild who followed: Margot C. Dienes. Mark T. Hawley, III, and Joseph W. Hawley. Carol was the beloved younger sister of Patricia D. McArtor and the late Dolores D. Demaree, both of Alexandria, VA. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary K. and Edward W. Downey of Alexandria, VA, her in-laws, Myrtle W. and Malcolm M. Dienes of New Orleans, and her nephew, Michael Biondi. She is also survived by her cherished nephews, David Demaree (Kathy) and Donald Demaree (Eileen.) Carol had many beloved nephews and nieces in Alexandria, Virginia, where she was born and raised.

She was a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy in Alexandria and worked as an administrative assistant at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, in the Armed Forces Secret Weapons Project before her marriage to Jack, an Ensign in the U.S. Navy at the time.

Carol was a 100% Irish lass who loved life and lived it to the fullest. She always remembered her daughter, Colleen’s, favorite saying, … “It’s not how you die, but how you live!”. Carol’s Catholic faith, her family, and her treasured friends were her lifeline during her husband’s long illness following his stroke in 2011. She loved music, dancing, fashion, big hats, the arts, theatre, and travel. She and her late husband were ardent and active supporters of many local charities and religious organizations, including their childrens’ and grandchildren’s schools. Carol was the consummate hostess, entertaining scores of friends, family, and clients at the homes she shared with Jack in New Orleans and in Covington, LA. She loved the holidays, especially Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day, and her homes were always decorated beautifully for each one. She was chosen by the Men of Fashion organization as one the “Ten Best Dressed Women” in New Orleans and she and Jack were honored by the Heart Ambassadors of New Orleans as “Sweethearts of New Orleans”.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank Deiadra “Dee” Ellis for her devotion to and loving care of Carol and Jack and their family for the past 41 years.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at Lakelawn Metairie Funeral Home on Thursday, June 9th. Visitation will take place from 1:30 until 3:00 PM, followed by Mass at 3:00.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Carol’s memory to the National Shrine of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, 919 Josephine St., New Orleans, LA, 70130-5051, or The Bright School for the Deaf, 1600 Constance St., New Orleans, LA 70130, or www.thebrightschool.org.