Mary Downard
Mary Jane Barb Downard, 93, of Middletown, VA, left this earth to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at English Meadows Assisted Living, Stephens City, VA.
Mary Jane was born in Arlington, VA on July 31, 1931, to the late John Hubert Barb and Daisey Lorena Markley Barb. She was a 1949 graduate of Washington-Lee High School, Arlington, VA. She was employed by C & P Telephone Co (eventually changing to Verizon) for 20 years as a customer service representative. She retired from Northern Virginia Livestock after 27 years as a bookkeeper. She was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church in Middletown, VA. Mary Jane was a loving wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was known by many, loved by all!
Mary Jane enjoyed spending time at family gatherings and traveling with her daughter, Diane, whenever possible. She was a member of the Fort Loudoun Chapter, NSDAR, Winchester, VA and a member of the Eliza Chapter, NSUS Daughters of 1812, Alexandria, VA.
Survivors include her daughters, Janet Lorena Downard Wymer and Diane Marie Downard Wittreich; her grandchildren Dennis and Jake Wymer, Robert, Allen, and Rebecca Wittreich, Elizabeth W. Sakoulas; her great-grandchildren Cynthia and Evania Sakoulas, and Morgon Wymer; numerous nieces, great-nieces and great-nephews; her sibling Charles D. Barb (Phyllis), Edinburg, VA and her sister-in-law, Monica C. Downard, Silver Spring, MD.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harry Allen Downard, whom she married on December 6, 1952; her oldest brother Richard E. Barb and sister Thelma M. Barb Arnaud; sister-in-law, Helen Downard Hicks and Ruth Downard McNeil; son-in-law, Christopher G. Wittreich (Diane) and Denny W. Wymer (Janet).
A funeral service for Mrs. Downard will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Grace United Methodist Church with Rev. Mary Locke officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Carmel Cemetery, Middletown, VA. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.
The family wishes to express their extreme gratitude to the staff of English Meadows, Stephen City Campus, Assisted Living and Blue Ridge Hospice for the loving care they provided our mother during the time under their care. We are forever grateful!
Memorials may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork St., Winchester, VA 22601 or Grace United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 61, Middletown, VA 22645.
You may sign the guest book and submit condolences online at www.stoverfuneralhome.com
Stover Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., Strasburg, VA is serving the family.
