Alice Downing

Deepest sympathies to Alice’s nieces, nephews, neighbours & friends. May Alice rest in peace

We have fond memories of Alice from her time in the library. She was always friendly, gracious, knowledgeable, genuinely interested and helpful. Condolences to all the family.

We are all very sad that Alice is no longer with us. She was a wonderful, kind and wise neighbour, an amazing artist, a great card player, full of wit and mischief and of course, extremely stylish. There was a well trodden path to her door by us and many others who enjoyed her company through the years. There was always a warm welcome when you visited, the stove lit and the kettle on the boil, accompanied with the offer of tea or coffee and a endless stash of goodies and she was none too pleased if you refused. Life’s too short she’d tell us. She loved Moyola Park and was the heart of the Estate for all its residents, be they two or four legged, furred or feathered. She was very determined to attend this years street party and meet all her neighbours once more. We were so delighted she did. She was forever sending cards and notes to her many friends and never forgot any occasion. She hated that letter writing was a dying ritual. She loved her mobile too, her other mode of communication and indeed, we all have missed her reassuring texts since she left us. Many a call was cut short if you rang though when a soccer match was on, another one of her many interests. She loved driving and I can picture her beaming whizzing off in her car with a wave as she went by.Alice was a unique lady and her passing feels like losing a piece of home. It was a pleasure to have her as our friend. May she rest in eternal happiness and watch over us all in the years to come.

Our sincere condolences on the passing of Alice.
She was a wonderful woman who we are privileged to have known.
Rest in Peace Alice.
Tess & Tom

I am very sorry to hear of Alices’s passing. My sympathies to Aileen, Fiona, all her nieces, nephews and extended family.
Alice took me under her wing in my younger days while working in the Hardiman Library and Medical Library. She was always so pleasant and kind, a gentle soul. I am very fortunate to have known and worked with Alice and also to have been gifted one of her beautiful paintings.
Rest in Peace Alice.

So very sorry to hear of my lovely friend Alice's passing.She was such a beautiful lady in every way.Rest in Peace Alice.

Please accept our deepest sympathies on the death of Alice. She was a great friend and will be deeply missed.

Deepest to sympathy to Alice’s family on her passing. Alice was a wonderful presence in the library - erudite, supportive, always helpful.

When we were selling student publications outside the library Alice would always emerge, beaming, from behind the books to buy half a dozen copies for the college collection. Her interest meant a lot; the early morning purchases - she was often our first customer - set us up for the day and it was fantastic to know that our efforts had found a safe home in the library basement.

Alice had vision and expertise; she was the most graceful and committed of university staff. May she rest in peace.

Alice's passing severs yet another connection with the "old" library in the then UCG. She was a very kind and caring colleague of my late wife Fionnuala Byrne, and I can see from the condolences that these qualities were shared with many. Sincere sympathies to her nieces, nephews and all the friends who loved her.

...I’m deeply saddened by the passing of my Dear Friend Alice.
She was a gentle Soul...
Full of warmth and strength...
She loved Angels and butterflies... symbols of grace... light... and transformation...
Now, she has her own wings.

Though she has left this world, I know her Spirit soars freely... among the butterflies, with the Angels she cherished so much.......

I will miss her kindness... her laughter, funny sense of humor... and the magical way she moved through Life......

Alice. In my eyes... you always be incredibly talented as an artist...
A unique Person. My Butterfly Fairy.......

You are loved.
You are remembered.
You will always fly with us...........

Rest in Peace, my beautiful Friend Alice

I was deeply saddened to hear of Alice's passing. My most sincere condolences to her nieces and nephews. She was a person of many talents - extremely professional in the many roles she undertook. I remember her teaching me how to handle books which had been water-damaged. She had a zest for living and a twinkle in her eye. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dílis.

Deepest sympathy to Alice's nieces and nephews on her recent passing.
She will be fondly remembered for the generous contributions of her wonderful art to Athenry Bridge Club.
May her gentle soul rest in peace.

I was very sad to hear of the passing of Alice may she rest in peace

A beautiful lady. So sad to learn of her passing. May she rest peacefully

Deepest sympathy to all of Alice's family on the sad news of Alice's death, may she rest in peace. I was taught by both her parents in Killeen NS. Later, I reconnected with Alice and her Dad in Moyola Park when I went to work in Galway city.
Suaimhneas síoraí ar a h-anam
Máire Noone

Heartbroken to hear the news about Alice. She was a lovely friend to have all these years and I will miss her company so much. Her talent as an artist was immense and I will look in fondness at the beautiful painting created by her that I have. Alice may the animals greet you with all the love you gave to them. My sincere condolences to Alice's family and to all who had the privilege to know her.

Deepest condolences to Alice's extended family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam. From your love of your dogs, to your art, and your many card games, Alice, you will be remembered by so many, for so many things. I will remember your laugh and your smile. Rest well, Alice.

So sorry to hear of Alice’s death. My sympathy to her nieces and nephews and extended family. She will be sorely missed from Moyola Park.

Condolences to Alice’s family. Fond memories of Soroptimist gatherings. May Alice rest in peace.

I'm so sorry to learn of the passing of our very dear friend Alice Downing.
Alice and I went to the same school in Killeen, Tyna, where her parents Joe and Alice Downing were the teachers for all our school years.
When we came to live in Tuam we got to meet up with Alice and her dad, and remained friends ever since.
I send my sincere condolences to all Alice's nieces and nephews, especially her late sister Theresa's family, the Ruanes of Athenry.
Rest in peace Alice, we will miss visiting you in your home, but I will treasure the painting that you painted for me many years ago.
Alice was a lady, and a true friend.
Rest in eternal peace Alice,
Martin (Mattie) McDonagh,
Myra O'Leary. Tuam and Salthill.

Deepest sympathies to Alice's beloved nieces and nephews. Such a gentle soul, elegant and witty, with a massive range of interests - reading, art and sport. I did a six month work placement with her in the Hardiman Library through a former neighbour in the late 1980s. She believed in living life to the full and encouraged younger members of staff to be good to themselves and do the same. A life well-lived, may she now rest in peace.

I knew Alice over many years as she was most helpful to me in my work with International Students seeking accommodation during their time at UCG. A beautiful gentle person, she was always most kind and generous to these students who were far away from family and friends .
May she rest in Peace,
Ann

Sincere sympathy to the Downing family on the sad passing of Alice . She was a lovely lady . Rest in peace .

My deepest sympathy to Alice's family. I have happy memories of her many years as a dedicated, and invariably pleasant and helpful, member of the University library staff. RIP.

Alice you have slipped away to a safe and peaceful place and I never got to say goodbye. You have left behind such wonderful memories of your love of cats and dogs, the great fun we all had preparing for your vibrant art exhibitions, the doling out of your garden apples, the copious cups of tea and 10am chats with your carers, the years of friendship in the Soroptimist Club and what about the soccer and to remember definitely never to disturb if you were watching your favourite team.
To cousins Jackie, Denis and Kathleen we offer our sympathy and hope to meet you at the Service of Remembrance.

Condolence to Alice's family.

Dear Fiona,
Sorry to hear that your Aunt Alice has passed away, condolences to you and the extended family. Alice was a helpful and generous colleague, always so stylish with her elegant chignon, remembered with fondness.

Sincere sympathy to the Downing family on the death of Alice, a highly regarded colleague in the James Hardiman library.

Sincere sympathy to Alices family, her neighbours and many friends. She was a kind talanted and generous lady ,Alice was a great friend and support to my late mother for many years ,they had many adventures over the years. I am fortunate to have some of her art in my home,rest in peace Alice.

Alice was a most pleasant and helpful member of staff in the UCG (Hardiman) library over many years. Fortunate enough to have purchased a painting by her that continues to serve as a nice reminder of the talented person that she was.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam uasal. Michael & Máire O'Connell

I was so sorry to read of Alice's passing, made all the more poignant for me by the fact that Eileen McCann, a contemporary of Alice's in the University library, had also passed away that same day. I have fond memories of both, built up over many years of interactions with them. In a most unlikely coincidence, I was also to run into Alice again, this time in my long time GP, Dr Gerard Brennan's practice where, after her retirement from the University, Alice served for a time as his receptionist. It was here I learned too, that she had an interest in painting and was pleased to see some of her work hanging there, long after she'd left that role. Needless to say, Alice was still the same calm, patient and efficient person I'd come to appreciate in our earlier interactions. May she rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to Alice’s family on this sad occasion. Alice was a wonderful friend. May she rest in peace.

Deepest sympathy to Fiona and all of Alice’s Family on the sad passing of Alice.

A real lady and always so lovely to chat to.

May she rest in peace.

Imelda Howley

I was saddened to learn of Alice’s death and offer my condolences to her family and to all who mourn her. A quiet and kindly presence in UCG library over many years, her courtesy and helpfulness will be remembered. Trócaire ar a h-anam.

My deep sympathy to the extended Downing Family on the death of Alice.
I was taught by both of her parents in Killeen National School.
May Alice rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to the family. Alice was a lady. May she rest in peace.

Sincere sympathies to Alice's family on behalf of all at the University of Galway Library. Alice had retired before I joined the Library staff, but her work and legacy lived on. I benefitted greatly in my early years from 'Alice's project' on our journals collection - the outputs of that project are still used today! May she rest in peace.

Sincere sympathy to Alice's family mamy friends and neighbours on her passing. I worked with her for many years in the UCG library. She was very kind to her colleagues. A woman of many talents - art and music. A very witty person. She will not be forgotten. Memories never die. May she rest in peace. Breda Burke

So sorry to hear of Alice's death. She was a kind and gentle soul. She was also a talented artist and I have always treasured some lovely paintings I got from her many moons ago. May she rest in peace.

My lovely friend Alice gone but will never be forgotten. Rip Alice

It was with great sadness we got the news of Alice's passing. Condolences to all her family and friends. May she Rest in Peace.

May.she.rest.in.peace..was.anice..person

I can’t believe you have departed this world Alice
Our scheduled appointment for me to visit you Wednesday 30th is not to be 😢
May you rest in heavenly peace 🙏
I will miss our chats and cups of tea ☕️❤️

Sincere condolences to all of Alice’s family and friends. Fond memories of meeting Alice on her visits to my aunt Phil Blake, Lisduff, Tynagh and in the Library NUIG when I was a student there 1975 - 79. A lovely, no nonsense person and always a pleasure to meet.
May Alice Rest In Heavenly Peace
Marcella Blake Killeen ex Portumna

No words can express how shocked and sad I was to hear of the passing of one of the Kindest lady to work for here in the Library University of Galway...We become close friends and and shared lots of happy memories...
Deepest sympathy to Fiona, Aileen, Orlaith, Darragh and families
Rest in peace Alice.

So sorry to hear of the passing of Alice a lovely lady condolences to the family.May Alice Rest in Peace 🙏

I was saddened to hear of Alice's passing. I worked with Alice for many years in the Library at UCG/NUIG and have very fond memories of working together. She was a lovely lady. God rest her gentle soul.