Stephanie L. Downey

GLOUCESTER — Stephanie L. Downey (Bates), died, September 24, 2021 at Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center where she lived for the last year.  Stephanie was born December 21, 1951 in Amherst Massachusetts, the eldest daughter of Stanley W. and Marjory L. (Cleveland) Bates.  Stephanie, a survivor of Polio, graduated from Concord-Carlisle High School.  After trying structured office work in Boston Steph settled in as a waitress at area restaurants and Country Clubs. It was at the Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center in Framingham where she met Dave Downey.  They were married in 1985 and made their home together in Arlington.  They were divorced in 1996.  Later in life, Steph became a fearless taxi cab driver taking great pride in being able to navigate the side streets in the towns surrounding the greater Boston area.  Steph loved the ocean and “took a dip” whenever she could.  She surrounded herself with the photographs she took and especially loved her panoramic photos.

Stephanie leaves behind her sister Pricilla Parisi, her husband Charles Jr and their daughter Brenda Wood, her husband Jake and their daughters Ella and Lilly; her sister Jacqueline Bates and her brother James C. Bates, his wife Susan and their sons Andrew W. and Daniel W., his companion Rebecca Cocotas all of Rockport.  Steph will be dearly missed by all those who knew her.

A Memorial Service in celebration of Stephanie will be held October 16th at 1:00 P.M. at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 24 Broadway, Rockport, MA 01966.  A reception will follow at the church.  Relatives and friends are welcome.