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| Lynn Downes ’63 retires from Montgomery Catholic Preparatroy in June 2015, she is pictured with her sons, Jeff Downes ’85, Scott Downes ’88 and Greg Downes ’85. |
On Tuesday, June 23, 2015, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School hosted a retirement party for Lynn Jehle Downes in the Middle/High School campus library. Attended by her family, collegues and long-time friends, Lynn says good-bye to Montgomery Catholic after 31 years of dedicated service to the school. She began her roll as an administrative assistant in the 1980’s to then high school principal Thomas Doyle. She stayed on with the school as it transitioned to a regional K-12 Catholic school and served under three school presidents, Thomas Doyle, Faustin Weber and current president Anne Ceasar in the Business Office. Ceasar said, ” Lynn epitomizes someone who has a life long love for this school, as a student, parent and employee. She has always supported and relished all that is good about Catholic education, and we wish her much happiness in her retirement.” She presented Lynn with a painting by Diddy Vucovich, “Madonna and Child” as a gift from the school.
Lynn is a 1963 graduate of Montgomery Catholic, known as St. Mary of Loretto then. Her three sons, Jeff Downes of Vestavia Hills, Greg Downes of Cumming, Georgia and Scott Downes of Atlanta, Georgia are all Montgomery Catholic graduates as well. Montgomery Catholic has been a part of Lynn’s life since first grade. Lynn said, “for all the years I spent as a student at St. Mary’s of Loretto and the years spent as a student at Catholic High, I was blessed with many teachers who instilled in me knowledge, values, and special memories that will continue to be in my heart and life forever! I cherish those days! Church activities, extracurricular events and school events were my life!While attending Catholic High, I never dreamed that one day I would again be a part of the school which formed my foundation. God led me to Montgomery Catholic 31 years ago.”
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| Lynn’s grandchildren help her cut the cake in honor of her retirement. Pictured from left to right: Sydney, Brendan, Lauren, Beckett, Chad, Lynn,Harrison and Alex. |
When announcing her retirement Lynn said to the faculty and staff, “As the school year ends and all of you are looking forward to a summer without your “school kids”, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all you do for the students and the entire MCPS community. The quality of education you provide and the manner with which you do so is invaluable to their growth and success.You are the angels God sent to care for them! Bless you all! Life here has always been like being at home again. The years have come and gone with many memories, as well as many changes. There is no way of putting into words what these years have meant to me. I cherish each and every memory! God is great! I will miss you all and will carry you and Montgomery Catholic in my heart. After all, this has been my life since grade school. God bless each one of you and I thank you for filling my life and my heart with love.”
Montgomery Catholic Business Manager Kim Jackson said of her, “Lynn has been great to work with….she is the consummate professional, always committed to getting it right and quick to pitch in and assist co-workers and staff. For her, quality is key and there are no shortcuts allowed.” Before leaving Lynn trained her replacement, Mrs. Christie Binns. She will be missed in the Business Office this year, but will forever be a part of Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School.
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| Good friends and Montgomery Catholic Alumni helped Lynn celebrate her retirement. Suzanne Bell, Lynn, Deanie Allen, Kay Hassett and Lynne Irwin. |
Founded in 1873, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is an integral part of the Catholic Church’s mission to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. As an adult community, we share in the responsibility to prepare students for college and beyond while helping them grow to become persons of faith, virtue and wisdom.
