Grace Esther Ann Downes Riley

Newport, RI - Grace Esther Ann Downes Riley, 82, of Newport, RI, formerly of Scotty Drive, Portsmouth, RI, died Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at John Clarke Health Care Center, Middletown, RI. Born in Newport, RI on February 13, 1929, she was the daughter of the late James Elmore and Grace Wilkenson Angel.Grace was a former member of Trinity Church. She enjoyed bowling in several leagues in the Newport area winning several trophies. Grace loved a good book especially murder mysteries. She worked as a supervisor at the James L. Maher Center for 20 years. Prior to working at the Maher Center, she worked as a cocktail waitress at the former Strike Zone and Baileys Beach. After her retirement from the Maher Center, she joined the State Department of Elderly Affairs and volunteered as a senior companion. She is survived by her children, Pamela Downes of Richmond, KY, Laurie Robinson of Charleston, SC, Thomas Downes Jr. of Middletown, RI, Kerrie L. Spencer of East Greenwich, RI, Drew Downes of Portsmouth, RI, and her brothers James Angel of Albuquerque, NM, Frederick Angel of San Antonio, TX, and John Angel of Las Vegas, NV, her sister Jane Burrows of Newport, RI, and eight grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her sister Carolyn Angel.Her funeral will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2012 with calling hours from 9:00-11:00am and a memorial service beginning at 11:00am, in Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown. Donations in her memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 222 Richmond Street, Suite 204, Providence, RI, 02906.