CANTON – Frances M. Downs, 87, formerly of Franklin Street, Rumford, died Thursday, Dec. 13, at Victorian Villa Rehabilitation and Living Center after a long illness with her loving family at her side.

She was born in Coaticook, P.Q., Canada, Sept. 17, 1920, a daughter of Joseph H. and Clara (Boulanger) Delisle.

She was a graduate of St. John Parochial school and Stephens High School, Class of 1938, and was class salutatorian. She later attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.

She married Roy W. Downs in 1941, and together they owned and operated Roy’s Café on Oxford Avenue in Rumford. She later worked for 23 years as a teller for Casco Northern Bank until her retirement in 1984.

She was a communicant of St. Athanasius-St. John Catholic Church and was a member of the Ladies of St. Anne.

She was a volunteer at Rumford Community Home, Literacy Volunteers and Mountain Valley High School french department.

She loved traveling with her sisters, playing cards, and was an avid walker. She also loved music and was an accomplished piano player and organist.

She is survived by a daughter, Denise Donahue and husband, Richard, of Dixfield; two sons, Richard A. Downs and wife, Nora, of Rumford and Gary M. Downs and wife, Jean, of Industry; six grandchildren, Michael and Brian Downs, Christine Kendall, Kathryn Caiazzo, and Nicole Donahue and Richard M. Donahue; and seven great-grandchildren, Jacob Kendall, Heather Kendall, Garrett Kendall, Devon Downs, Nathan Downs, Breann Downs and Adam Downs.

She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Roy W. Downs; a brother, Roma Delisle; and seven sisters, Cecile Patenaude, Carmelle Wilson, Geraldine Dibbern, Marcella Mouradian, Sister Simone Delisle, Aldea Poulin and Olivette Delisle.