Valerie Jane Downes
May 17, 1958 - November 04, 2011
Rocky Hill, Connecticut
Visitation: 4:00pm - 8:00pm November 11, 2011 at Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Rd., Wethersfield, CT 06109
Funeral Service: 8:45am November 12, 2011 at Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Rd., Wethersfield, CT 06109

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00am November 12, 2011 at St. James Church, 767 Elm St., Rocky Hill, CT 06067

Interment: 11:30am November 12, 2011 at Cedar Hill Cemetery Section 35, 453 Fairfield Ave., Hartford, CT 06106
Valerie Jane Downes, 53, of Rocky Hill, beloved daughter of Jane and Robert Downes, unexpectedly left us all much too soon on Friday November 4, 2011. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Valentin Zurawlew, the love of her life. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her sister and brother in law Drs. Deborah Downes-Stoj and Marion Stoj and her brother and sister in law Bobby Downes and Attorney Claudia Baio-Downes as well as her nephews and nieces, Robert Downes IV, Christopher Stoj, Victoria Stoj, Stefanie Stoj and Amelia Stoj. She also left many beloved relatives and a host of special and lifelong friends. Born in Hartford in 1958, Valerie was a graduate of South Catholic High School, Class of 1976, and Southern Connecticut State University 1980. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Technology from Central Connecticut State University and her R.N. degree from University of Connecticut School of Nursing. Valerie was a member of the first class of women inducted into the Hartford Elks BPOE Lodge 19. She grew up in Hartford and was an avid and accomplished swimmer, earning the title of State Champion AAU Swimmer and representing Connecticut in Puerto Rico and Virginia. She was also a member of the South Catholic High School State Championship Swim Team and worked as a lifeguard for the City of Hartford. She shared her love of swimming with her nieces and nephews. She was a talented artist whose diverse artistic skills included graphic and interior design and sharing her talent with creations for friends including the “Val and Val” Ceiling Tile at the Westbrook Elks Lodge. She was a former manager of the Nutshell Café in Hartford. Following college graduation, she worked as a graphic designer for many years. She was a field supervisor for the Aetna Insurance Company, installing computer systems throughout the United States. While working in the IT Department at Central Connecticut State University, she earned her Masters Degree. She concluded her association with Central as a professor in the School of Technology. At the time of her death, she was the nurse / manager at Downes, Eye M.D. in Manchester. Valerie’s family will receive relatives and friends at the Farley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 34 Beaver Rd., Wethersfield, on Friday, November 11, 2011 from 4-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Valerie’s life will be held Saturday, November 12, at 10am in St. James Church, 767 Elm St., Rocky Hill (all attendees are asked to go directly to church). Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Section 35, 453 Fairfield Ave., Hartford. To extend online condolences, or for further information please visit farleysullivan.com.