Patricia Ann (Stablein) Downey, 88, of Shawnee, KS passed away September 3rd, 2020 at the home of her daughter. Pat was born on a warm summer day in Detroit, MI on August 23rd, 1932. She was the youngest of four children of Katherine and Paul Stablein Sr. and grew up in Kansas City, MO. Pat married William (Bill) Downey in October of 1954. The two lived in Merriam, KS until they built a home in Shawnee and moved there in 1962. She was the matriarch of the Downey family in Shawnee and is survived by her 11 children: Kathleen Downey, Susan (Mark) Roos, Andy Downey, Margaret (Ed) Jalbert, David (Christine) Downey, Julia (Dave) Lancaster, Paula Gardner, Roger (Robin) Downey, Ed (Lisa) Downey, Nancy (Lee) West, Chris (Erika) Downey, 26 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

Pat graduated from Bishop Hogan High School in Kansas City, MO in 1949 and then attended nursing school at St. Mary's Hospital Nursing School, graduating in 1952. She worked as a nurse at St. Mary's Hospital until leaving to take time to raise her 11 children. She returned to nursing in 1982, often working the night shift at St. Joseph's Health Center, until retiring in 1997. In addition to nursing, Pat was an accomplished baker and cake decorator. Her cakes were creative, personalized, and delicious and she made thousands of cakes for weddings, birthdays, and graduations for family, friends, and customers throughout Kansas City. She was an avid bowler for more than 40 years with the St. Joseph's PTO bowling league. Pat also enjoyed traveling and hiking outdoors and spending summers at Gardner Lake hosting family and friends. Throughout her life she traveled with family throughout the United States and Europe, visiting acquaintances and touring the scenic cities, overlooks, and parks. She frequently traveled in RVs or camped in tents along the way. She was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Shawnee, KS, the Resurrection choir, the Ladies Guild, and supported the church through acts of charity as a member of the St. Joseph's Circle.

Pat was preceded in death by her father Paul Stablein Sr., mother Katherine Wagner Stablein, her husband William Downey, brother Richard Stablein, sister Rita Hayes, son-in-law Lee Gardner, and grandson Peter Downey. She is survived by her brother Paul (Ann) Stablein Jr of Kansas City, MO, her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchild.

Rosary and Funeral Mass

Services will be held at Church of the Nativity in Leawood, KS on Friday September 11th starting with a Rosary at 12:30pm and then a funeral mass at 1:00pm. A burial service will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Lenexa, KS. Due to the ongoing pandemic, there is limited capacity at the service. A livestream of the service will be available here.

Memorial Contributions

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph's Circle in care of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at 11311 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS 66203 or Unbound (https://www.unbound.org/)