Carol D Downs

February 28, 1928 to January 19, 2015

Yarmouth - Carol DeMond Downs of Yarmouth and Deer Isle, Maine, died peacefully on January 19, 2015 at her home. Carol was born in Brooklyn, NY on February 28, 1928, the only child of Chester W. and Dorothy W. DeMond. She grew up in White Plains, NY.

Carol’s life was music. Her grandmother introduced her to the piano at age 3, launching her love for music. After graduating from Emma Willard School, Troy, NY and Pine Manor Junior College, Wellesley, MA, she went on to study music at the University of Michigan, majoring in piano performance.

A sixty-year member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity (SAI), Carol devoted much time and talent to SAI Philanthropies, helping to get music and instruments to students around the world. She was a founding member of the Northern New Jersey Alumnae Chapter and an adviser to college chapters at Montclair State College (NJ) and the Hartt School at the University of Hartford (CT).

Carol was an accompanist and played two piano literature, favoring Rachmaninoff, with partners wherever she lived. She performed in benefit concerts and programs of many musical clubs to which she belonged. If she wasn’t attending the opera, she was listening to performances on the radio. She took great pleasure singing in church choirs in Caldwell, NJ and Simsbury, CT and the Oratorio Society of NJ.

In addition, Carol was an avid fan of the UConn women’s basketball team and relished summers on the Reach at Deer Isle. She had a real heart for every sort of animal.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, Myron H. Downs, her three children, Bruce (Karen) Downs, Allen (Donna) Downs, Elaine Bird, and her grandchildren Annalies Goodwin, Daniel Downs, Rachel Downs, Judith Downs, Carolyn Downs, Peter Bird, and Brian Bird.

A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family. She will be interred at Forest Hill Cemetery, Deer Isle, ME. The family expresses sincere thanks to VNA Hospice and Casco Bay Home Care for the excellent care they provided Carol in her final days. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made in her memory to your favorite charity.