Downey, Virginia Rose (10/12/1925-7/10/2014.), 88 years of age. Born in Detroit, MI, resident of Arlington, VA 1968-1976; resident of McLean, VA 1976-present. Graduate of NY School of Interior Design, Former Interior Designer for Henry Ford, Investor, avid gardener and cookbook collector. During WWI she put dots on rivets to drill for US Aircraft, "Rosy the Riveter", for the 20,000 rivets in an Aircraft. Virginia Downey obtained her Interior Design degree while her first husband was taking Engineering classes in New York. In Class the Teacher asked the entire class, "What is Interior Design ?" Her answer was "Spending other peoples money beautifully !" She received a standing ovation and it became the Moto the the NY School of Interior Design. Back in Detroit she ran a $2 ad in the newspaper for work, she never had to run an ad again. Clients included entire apartment buildings, where she measured one Apartment and had the measurements for the entire buildings apartments. She would carry the so-called "portable" 60 pound sewing machine on busses to clients, latter she bought a car. Notable Clients include – a businessman and that could not wake up in the morning, she painted the bathroom bright with owls for $15,000, an adopted child was very sad, so she put stars and astronomy on the ceiling and it brought smiles to the child. For Henry Ford, they were having tea with Mrs. Ford when a surprised and admired iron gate arrived from Europe, a 1960 cost of $40,000. Virginia Downey put red velvet on the Ford's Stairs with a massive rope banister, the Ford's loved it.
Her Son, Mark remembers her working endlessly and tirelessly in he basement, long hours into the night, On her Birthday, eight year old Mark, felt sorry for her and bought her a 50 cent Red Rose and Mark got the biggest bear hug. She would work in the basement in rubber boots, with strings up to her ankles and the sewing machine needle would be so hot it would burn holes in the fabric; a Single Mother providing for her two children. Virginia Downey was beautiful, lovely and had penetrating blue eyes, a trait for the entire family.
Virginia Downey moved to Arlington, Virginia then Mclean, Virginia in 1968 after the 1968 Detroit riot with her second Husband William H. Downey (Computer Analyst with the Veterans Administration) and Son Mark and Daughter Cynthia.
She touched the hearts of everyone.
The inscription on the bronze marker of
Husband William H. Downey and Virginia R. Downey
--------------- Memories --------------
Living and Loving
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
August 2, 2014
antoinette/Bob Tworkowski
Cindy & Garrett, Mark, Tiffany & David, & Eric,
How sorry we were to hear of your loss..We never met her but loved hearing about her lively adventures from Tiffany. She led an interesting diverse life. A woman before her time...much to be admired. May she rest in peace...Always, Antoinette & Bob Tworkowski
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