Honoring the Memory
of Those
We Love

August 14, 1930 - October 19, 2017

Downs, JoAnne M. (DuScheid), age 87, of Upper St. Clair. "What one does for a mother when she is living...one will never regret when she is gone." Our mom, JoAnne Downs, made her final act of love by passing peacefully on Thursday, October 19, 2017. JoAnne was born on August 14, 1930 in Allentown to the late Arthur L. and Martha (Thieret) DuScheid. Also preceded in death by her only brother, Arthur. She was a proud graduate of St. George High School - it seemed wherever she went, she ran into a fellow St. Georgite. She met John at work when she was 19 years old. They married August 4, 1951 and lived their marriage covenant until his passing on September 21, 2016. Those 65 years were filled with love, laughter, joys, sorrows and the challenges of aging. With five daughters, five sons-in-law, 21 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and the tenth due in January, there was always something to celebrate. Birthdays, anniversaries, First Communions, graduations, weddings, Kennywood Days, Downs family Christmas' in Virginia, Deep Creek gatherings, Downs daughter weekends, those fun and special times shared, helped shape strong family ties. JoAnne cherished those times and spoke of her ever growing family with great pride. JoAnne's faith was a constant throughout her life and a gift she passed on to her entire family. She was a founding member of St. Albert the Great Church in Baldwin, a long-time member of the Ladies of Charity, a choir member and a Eucharistic Minister visiting the homebound. JoAnne leaves behind her daughters, Darlene (Richard) Kent, Dianne (Rich) Lynch, Donna (Kevin) Eppard, Denise (Mark) Edgar and Dana (Fred) Buckman; grandmother of Katie (fiancé Sean), Steven, David (Rachel) and Johnny Kent, Ryan (Megan) Lynch, Lindsay (Tim) Hayes, Elissa and Michael Lynch, Emily (Greg) Furnival, Elizabeth, Daniel, David, Catherine and Christian Eppard, Sarah (Jimmy) Curran, Allison (Dan) Cybulski, Alex (Emma) and Sean Edgar and Kevin, Rachel and Laura Buckman; great-grandmother of Madeline, Penelope and Tallulah Curran, Lucy and Phoebe Cybulski, Finnegan and Clark Lynch, Mason and Simon Kent and baby Hayes due in January. Also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. We are grateful to God for the most compassionate care provided by Jefferson Hospital, (ICU, 4 West, the Palliative Care team), South Hills Family Medicine, and Allegheny Health Network Hospice caregivers, as well as Kathy, our dear friend and Mom's "sixth daughter", who lovingly and tirelessly cared for her until the end. Friends will be received at the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227 on Monday, October 23, 2017 from 4-8 p.m. Funeral prayer on Tuesday morning at 9:30. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Louise de Marillac at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, family suggests contributions to AHN Hospice Care, Office of Fund Development, 4818 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15224 or The Baptist Homes, 489 Castle Shannon Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15234.