Obituary of Mignon Downs

Mignon Enith (Dixon) Downs was born on July 8, 1928 in the Parish of St. Elizabeth, town of Santa Cruz, Jamaica W.I. To her church family and close friends, she was affectionately known as Mother Downs. To her three beloved children, she will always remain, Mommy. Mignon was born to the union of the late John Altiman Dixon and Joyce Ionie Witter. She graduated from Santa Cruz Government Elementary/High School. Soon after, she met and married Joseph Downs and began her beautician career. She continued her cosmetology journey by traveling to America to live with her uncle B. and Aunt Willel, cousins Norma and Hermin in NYC, to study and graduate from the Orchid School of Beauty Culture, top of her class. After graduation, she returned to Jamaica and opened her own beauty salon. She relished being an entrepreneur and equipped her salon chairs in her favorite color, red. Joseph and Mignon soon welcomed their three children, Christopher, Myril (Marie) and Robert. Recognizing the challenges in Jamaica and the opportunities in America, she returned to America to forge a new lifestyle for her family. Transitioning from Jamaica to America was no easy task. There were times that her young ones were raised by their father alone as she worked to fund and complete the documentation to relocate to America. However, she was determined to make the transition for a better life. She soon found herself in Rochester, NY and relocated her family on a bitterly cold April day in 1971. Shortly thereafter, she began her career at General Motors/Delco Products. Taking advantage of the American Dream, she raised her family, purchased several homes and subsequently retired in 1993 after 21 years of service. Her home was always filled with the delicious aromas from the island of Jamaica as she carefully and lovingly prepared whatever your favorite dish. From stewed peas to curry goat, rundown or oxtails, her dishes were always flavored with love and care. There was a constant smile on her face when she watched you enjoy her food. Making women beautiful was her profession, but making hearts smile after eating was her joy! Mignon, a beautiful servant, attended Faith Temple and later joined New Life Fellowship where she gave her life to Christ and received baptismal in 2006. She was happy attending church with her Life Group sisters. A dedicated church-goer, Mignon was often filled with spirit when listening to Bishop McGill’s sermons. Mignon Enith Downs is predeceased by her parents: John A. Dixon and Joyce I. Witter; Three brothers, Anel Witter, Owen Hutchinson and Ralph Dixon; ex-husband Joseph Downs. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving children, Chris G.A. (Cheryl) Downs, Myril Marie (Tondre’) Stoudemire, Robert J.F. (Savaria) Downs of Rochester, NY and honorable daughter, Annette (Wesley) Brooks of Durham, NC. One sister: Joyce Dixon of England; four brothers: Anthony (Edna) Witter, Winston (Rema) Dixon, Ronnis Dixon of Florida; one sister-in-law: Olive Hutchinson of Florida; one cousin: Keith (Joyce) Abrahams of Florida. Six Grandchildren: Tiffany C. Downs, of Atlanta, GA, Robert J.F. Downs, Jr., De’Han, Step’Han and Tondre’ Jr. Stoudemire, of Rochester, NY. One precious great-granddaughter, AmariRain Downs of Rochester, NY. Honorable grandchildren: Jelon Brooks of Durham, SC, Michael (Forrest) McKeiver of California, Tyrik McKeiver of New York City, Candise (Courtney) Dye of Washington, DC, Christopher Simms of Florida, and Johnathan Simms of Rochester, NY. Honorable mentions: her longtime friend Gladstone (Clara) Sharpe, her care-giver Jessie Jones-Simmons, Queen Lewis, and all of her Life Group Sisters. Mrs. Downs would be remiss if we did not acknowledge all of the people that have been supportive throughout her journey by saying, THANK YOU!