Judith DeWolfe Downer

Judith DeWolfe Downer, 81, of Sarasota, FL, entered her heavenly home on December 15, 2021 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born Judith Francine DeWolfe in Milford, MA, on July 18, 1940 to James and Jean DeWolfe.

She graduated from Milford High School and Framingham Union Hospital School of Nursing. She joined the U.S. Air Force in 1965 and proudly served her country in North Dakota and Vietnam. On return from Vietnam, she met fellow Air Force officer David R. Downer at Chanute Air Force Base, IL. They fell in love and were married on September 20, 1969. She left the Air Force as a captain in 1971 and the couple had their first child, David R. Downer, Jr., later that year. He was joined by a second son, John, in 1976. Dave Sr.’s Air Force career took them to North Dakota, Virginia, Iran, Nebraska, West Germany and California. He retired as a Lt. Col. in 1986 and the family moved to Nebraska, where Judy resumed a civilian career. A move to the Philadelphia area, where she resumed a nursing career, was followed by a return to Massachusetts in 1995. Nine years were enough to give up on winters, leading to a permanent move to Sarasota, FL, where both eventually retired. Judy loved being a nurse, spending time with family and showing hospitality – which was demonstrated most famously every Thanksgiving morning when friends and family were invited over to have a slice from one of a dozen or more pies that Judy made.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Dave; her son Dave Jr. (Ann) and grandchildren, Katelyn, Matthew and Timothy, all of Sarasota, FL; her son John (Naomi) and grandchildren, Brennan and Owen of Rochester, MN; sisters-in-law Beverly DeWolfe of Rehoboth, MA, Debbie DeWolfe of Medway, MA and Lorry Bohmiller of Bristol, NH, and many nieces, nephews and other loved ones. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Jean, and brothers Fred and Jon.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Tidewell Hospice or Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Research Endowment.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 PM on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at First Sarasota (First Baptist Church), 1661 Main St., Sarasota, FL 34236. Interment with military honors will be held later at the Sarasota National Cemetery.