Claire Marie Downs passed away at her Tulsa home on July 16, 2014 with family at her side after a short illness due to dementia complications.

Claire was born in Buffalo, NY on November 12, 1932 to Arthur Daniel Rooney, Jr. and the former Grace Josephine Weber, both of Brooklyn, NY. She grew up in Floral Park, NY, and graduated from Sewanhaka HS. Claire attended Adelphi University and Fordham University, majoring in education.

Claire was employed in the early television industry in New York City by Goodson-Todman Productions as production manager for popular live game shows including "Beat the Clock", "What's My Line", "The Price Is Right", and "The Name's the Same."

Claire married Frederick L. Downs on August 2, 1958. The couple lived in Mahwah, NJ, where their first six children were born. In 1969 they moved to Memphis, TN, where their seventh child was born, and then to Tulsa, in 1972. Claire was a parishioner at The Church of St. Mary, where she is a past-president of the Women's Club, and made many lifelong friends.

Claire was an avid bridge player, an outgoing social conversationalist, with a wonderful sense of humor who saw and brought out the best in everyone she met. She was an avid novel reader and loved bowling. In recent years Claire became a Tulsa Driller baseball fan attending almost all the home games until her illness became severe in early July. In all these activities Claire was a grand slam, and was a nine bagger to her family and many friends. She will be sorely missed.

Claire was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and a sister-in-law: James J. Rooney, Arthur D. Rooney III and wife Bette Anne, and William D. Rooney; and nephew David A. Rooney.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by their children and their families: Katherine A. (Robert) Reuter and son Jordan; John F. (Lisa) Downs and sons Zachary and Michael Downs; Timothy L. Downs and companion Terrie Turner; Suzanne M. (Penn) Bowen and children Kathryn and Wels; Christine L. Downs and partner Christopher Prichard and children Sarah, Audrey and Charles Riddle; Charles N. Downs and partner Sharon Cruzen; and Elizabeth A. Downs and partner Kristine Komives. She is survived by great-granddaughter, Ava Rai Sutton, step granddaughter Aja (Tristan) Vaught and children Isabella and Jude, step grandson Jeremy Riddle and son Kevin. A granddaughter is expected in November.

Claire also is survived by two brothers and five sisters-in-law: John F. (Rosita) Rooney, Thomas C. (Barbara) Rooney, Barbara D. Briggs, Judie A. Rooney, and Lori Rooney; thirteen nieces and nephews, and 31 grand nieces and nephews.

The family will welcome visitors from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, July 21, 2014 at the Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 3612 East 91st St., followed by a Rosary ceremony. A Funeral Mass will be conducted 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014 at The Church of St. Mary, 1347 East 49th Place, with Msgr. Dennis Dorney presiding. Internment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Tulsa.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Catholic Charities, Meals On Wheels of Central Tulsa, or to a charity of your choice.