Obituary of Danielle H. Downs

Danielle H. Downs, known by many as Danie, passed away peacefully on July 2nd, 2025, at the age of 86. A lifelong resident of Jenkintown, PA, Danie was deeply rooted in the community she loved and called home her entire life. Born on October 13, 1938, in Abington, PA, she was the beloved daughter of the late Daniel Hiltebeitel and the late Florence E. Sutton Hiltebeitel and sister of the late Betty Tidwell. A proud “red” graduate of Jenkintown High School in 1956, Danie married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth B. Downs on September 27, 1958. Ken passed away on June 25, 2001, and not a day went by that she didn’t speak of him with love and fond remembrance. Danie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends. Her happiest moments were those spent surrounded by her loved ones, and she enjoyed spending time in Ocean City New Jersey and shopping for her many treasures. For 35 years, she was employed by the Upper Dublin School District as Executive Assistant to the Superintendent. Following her retirement, she embraced her passion for collecting treasures by becoming the proud owner of the Moreland Gift Shop in Jenkintown’s Baederwood Shopping Center. Danie was a founding member of Abington Baptist Church and for many years, volunteered with the Breathing Room Foundation. She is survived by her loving children and their spouses: Deborah D. and Bob McArthur and David and Peggy Downs; grandsons and their spouses: Nicholas and Becky Downs, Ryan and Kathleen Downs, Bobby and Ava McArthur and Kenny McArthur and his fiancé, Allie; great-grandchildren: Lucy Downs, Nina Downs, Eloise Downs and Archie Downs. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Abington Baptist Church, 1501 Huntingdon Road, Abington, where relatives and friends will be received from 9:30 AM until the time of the service. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to Breathing Room Foundation, 8310 Brookside Road, Elkins Park, PA 19027 (www.breathingroomfoundation.org) or to Gift of Life Donor Program, 401 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123. (www.donors1.org)