Irene (Carr) Downs passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2017 at the age of 98. She was born on a prairie in Teigen, Montana on January 5, 1919 joining two brothers.   The family moved to Bellingham when she was 7.  After graduating from Whatcom High School, she went to work for a five and dime store, which at that time was called J.J. Newberry.  She met and married Gordon Downs in 1941.  Soon after Gordon joined the Army Air Force, where he served for 4 years, 2 years in Europe.  While he was in basic training she joined him wherever his training took him until he went overseas.  In 1958 they moved to Mount Vernon.  She was a devoted mom who stayed home to raise her boys, when they were in high school she became a licensed optician where she worked for over 26 years for Western Optical, 23 years as manager.  At that time she and a woman optician from Seattle were the only female opticians in the state of Washington.  She was happy to see women coming in the optical career.

She leaves behind 2 sons, Ron (Fonda) and Gary, grandson Jeff (partner Lisa), and 2 great grandchildren McKenna (my love doll), and Alec. Also her older brother Larry Carr and many loved nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by Gordon in 2006, one brother and one grandson.

Her family was the most important part of her life. She loved them all dearly.  She will be buried alongside Gordon with a family gathering on Thursday, May 25 at 1:00.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to Children's Hospital, M/S S-200, PO Box 5371, Seattle, WA  98145-5005.  Arrangements under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon.