Obituary for Lavinia Downs (Russell)
Lavinia Russell Downs
Louisville, KY
07-26-42 — 03-11-22
Lavinia “Ninia” Russell Downs died peacefully at home March 11th in the comfort of family. One of eight children, she was born July 26, 1942, to Bert and Edna Mae Russell of Louisville. Lavinia was preceded in death by her brother Bert Russell and sister Barbara Russell Wilbert. Her early childhood was spent in Peewee Valley, KY, before the family settled in the Highlands. She is an alumna of St. James and Sacred Heart Academy and for the promotion of goodwill and traditional values was commissioned by the governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky a "Kentucky Colonel."
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, John Donald Downs; sons, Bart Downs (Linda), Bruce Downs (Leslie); daughters, Amanda Grosdeck (Dave), Neah Bay Downs Dybas (Ben); grandchildren, Zacheri, Danielle (Eric), Jacqueline (James), Sadie, Madeline, Al, Caili Rose, Jackson and Edward, and 3 great-grandchildren, James, Riley and Leona; sisters, Martha Shockley, Linda Thomas, Lisa Phillips; and brothers Peter and Ron Russell.
A devoted mother, daughter, sister and wife, she also gave nearly thirty years to a career empowering people with disabilities. From the Rehabilitation Act of 1973—Projects with Industry (PWI)—she developed, directed and scaled vocational training programs in the restaurant and hospitality industries. From her time as Director of Industry Labor Relations at The Menninger Foundation (Topeka, KS), through serving as Executive Director of government programs for the Ohio Restaurant Association and Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission, she guided regional and national employers in removing bias and obstacles. Resulting from her whole heart, mind and grit, her program ‘Ladders to Success’ led to numerous successful partnerships between private employers, government and the workforce that led to exceptionally-abled people gaining training, employment, independence and dignity.
Visitation is Monday, 03/14/22, 4-8pm, Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY. Her funeral service is 11 a.m. Tue., March 15, St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1000 N Beckley Station Rd, Louisville, KY, with burial to follow at St. Aloysius Cemetery, corner of Rollington Road and Highway 362, Pewee Valley, KY.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Harbor House Supported Employment (hhlou.org) for training and employment for people with disabilities.
Louisville, KY
07-26-42 — 03-11-22
Lavinia “Ninia” Russell Downs died peacefully at home March 11th in the comfort of family. One of eight children, she was born July 26, 1942, to Bert and Edna Mae Russell of Louisville. Lavinia was preceded in death by her brother Bert Russell and sister Barbara Russell Wilbert. Her early childhood was spent in Peewee Valley, KY, before the family settled in the Highlands. She is an alumna of St. James and Sacred Heart Academy and for the promotion of goodwill and traditional values was commissioned by the governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky a "Kentucky Colonel."
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, John Donald Downs; sons, Bart Downs (Linda), Bruce Downs (Leslie); daughters, Amanda Grosdeck (Dave), Neah Bay Downs Dybas (Ben); grandchildren, Zacheri, Danielle (Eric), Jacqueline (James), Sadie, Madeline, Al, Caili Rose, Jackson and Edward, and 3 great-grandchildren, James, Riley and Leona; sisters, Martha Shockley, Linda Thomas, Lisa Phillips; and brothers Peter and Ron Russell.
A devoted mother, daughter, sister and wife, she also gave nearly thirty years to a career empowering people with disabilities. From the Rehabilitation Act of 1973—Projects with Industry (PWI)—she developed, directed and scaled vocational training programs in the restaurant and hospitality industries. From her time as Director of Industry Labor Relations at The Menninger Foundation (Topeka, KS), through serving as Executive Director of government programs for the Ohio Restaurant Association and Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission, she guided regional and national employers in removing bias and obstacles. Resulting from her whole heart, mind and grit, her program ‘Ladders to Success’ led to numerous successful partnerships between private employers, government and the workforce that led to exceptionally-abled people gaining training, employment, independence and dignity.
Visitation is Monday, 03/14/22, 4-8pm, Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road, Louisville, KY. Her funeral service is 11 a.m. Tue., March 15, St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1000 N Beckley Station Rd, Louisville, KY, with burial to follow at St. Aloysius Cemetery, corner of Rollington Road and Highway 362, Pewee Valley, KY.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Harbor House Supported Employment (hhlou.org) for training and employment for people with disabilities.