Miriam Nicole Downs (nee Bufano), age 80 of Rumney, NH passed away peacefully at home on December 9, 2025.

Miriam was a bright light, the most innocent of women, intelligent and versatile. She was born May 14,1945 in Newark, New Jersey into a family of Italian immigrants, artists and engineers by trade.  A lifelong learner, Miriam possessed an analytical mind that would have made her an excellent software engineer in another era.  She could do anything from basic programming and gardening to furniture refinishing and accounting.  In her career she focused on bookkeeping and administrative work.  Over the course of her life she was employed at Strozier Library, Hartley’s Department Store, Lamson Library, Tenney Mountain Steak Barn, David Patridge Restorations, St. Matthew Church, and Russell Elementary School.

A true artist in her English style garden, Miriam would often be found early in the morning weeding and transplanting to make unusual and beautiful color combinations. Her home was a place of warmth and tradition.  Her family fondly remembers the smell of tomato sauce simmering for hours in the kitchen, often with the Everly Brothers, the Beatles, or Cat Stevens records playing in the background.

Miriam was a wonderful wife, mother, and sister. In this regard she was the ideal: a beautiful, loving, patient, kind, generous, tolerant, understanding, compassionate, forgiving, and loving woman. Her sense of loyalty had no limit. In turn, she was much loved by all.

She is survived by her husband, Terry Downs; her three children, devoted daughter Jessica Harris, her husband Troy Harris, her loving daughter Maureen Downs. Her son Gianni Downs, his wife Gina as well as her four grandchildren., Susie, Rylie, Rhiannon Harris and Mila Downs, Miriam’s loving sister Maria Mallay, her husband Kevin and brother Cesare Bufano, his wife Shari and their three children Isa, Adam and Shane

The family plans to hold a celebration of life in the spring during the month of May, Miriam’s favorite season, around her birthday.

For more information go to:  Dupuisfuneralhome.com.