Cynthia “Cindy” Downing (1948-2026)

Cindy Downing, 77, of Plymouth, NH, died at home with family on March 12, 2026.

She was born in Plymouth in 1948 to Julia W. Moody Downing and Edward G. Downing. She attended elementary, middle, and high school in Plymouth, and graduated from Plymouth State College with a bachelor’s degree in education.

She worked hard her entire life. She was a soda jerk for Geyer’s Pharmacy, did customer service at Guinan’s Ski and Sport, and worked at Hawkensen Enterprises during the 1980s. But the majority of her work life was spent at HDA Technical Services and Bonnie Brae Farms, home businesses that she helped run for over 40 years. Cindy also volunteered for a wide variety of organizations, including the Smith Bridge Restoration Committee, Smith Bridge Historical Committee, Northeast Deer and Elk Farmers Association, and the Pemi-Baker Valley Republican Committee.

Cindy was a private woman with a quiet strength, and she was loved very much by her family and friends. It was the simple things in life that brought her joy: seeing her grandkids and great-grandkids, fresh flowers, going out to dinner, every family holiday and making deviled eggs for those holidays (especially when the eggs peeled clean), playing card games, singing Christmas songs as we put up the tree or singing along to the songs she knew in TV shows, just watching TV at suppertime, coffee, and chocolate. Oh, how she did love chocolate!

She had a smile for everyone, bringing a warmth to their day. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Cindy is survived by her life partner, Henry Ahern, Jr.; children Danielle Downing and Kristen Downing de Almeida; grandchildren Jonathen de Almeida (partner Danielle Bragdon) and Rachael Downing Santos; great-grandchildren Mercy and Logan de Almeida; brother Niles Downing (wife Terry); niece Jennifer Yeaton (husband Ken) and nephews Christopher Downing (wife Amanda) and Aaron Downing (wife Heather); and beloved great-nieces and -nephews and cousins.

A memorial service and reception will be held at 5pm on Saturday, March 21 at the Plymouth United Methodist Church, 334 Fairgrounds Road, Plymouth, NH 03264. A burial service will be held for immediate family at a later date. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in memory of Cindy to the Solinsky Center for Cancer Care at The Elliot, payable to the Mary & John Elliot Charitable Foundation and mailed to 701 Riverway Place, Bldg. 7, Bedford, NH 03110; or to the New Hampshire Farm Bureau, payable to the NH Farm Bureau and mailed to 295 Sheep Davis Road, Concord, NH 03301.