Frances Margaret (Bongette) Downey, 79, of Peabody, died Thursday August 25, 2022, at the Brudnick Center for Living in Peabody following a courageous battle against cancer and dementia. She was the devoted wife of the late William J. Downey.

Born in Peabody, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Lena (Bovio) Bongette. She was a lifelong resident of Peabody and a graduate of St. John’s High School, class of 1960.

She was employed as a secretary, who worked in various departments at Beverly Hospital for over 30 years before retiring in 2013. She spent the most time in Labor and Delivery and loved all of the nurses and other staff that she worked with over the years.

Fran enjoyed a life well-lived. She was an avid Bruins fan and loved listening to all types of music ranging from Elvis to Willie Nelson to Metallica and Disturbed. Her other great love was the slot machines at Foxwoods or any other casino she visited. She traveled with her husband every year, driving across the country and visiting places off the beaten path. As she got older, she expanded her travel with her friends and other family members, visiting Italy, Greece and Aruba. She was also a wonderful cook and thankfully passed down all of the recipes and techniques to her kids. When she wasn’t gambling or traveling, she knitted and crocheted beautiful sweaters, hats, buntings and dresses for everyone she knew who was having a baby. She was talented and sweet and will be sorely missed.

She is survived by her children, Frank Downey of Peabody, daughter-in-law, Bonnie Downey of Newmarket, NH, her daughter, Shannon Downey and her husband William Hutchinson of Seabrook, NH, daughter-in-law, Dawn Costales-Downey of Haywood, CA, her brother, Martin Bongette of Danvers and her beloved 5 grandchildren, Brigid Downey and her wife Josie Russo, Cara Downey, Lena Costales-Downey, Duncan Costales-Downey and Amelia Costales-Downey. She was predeceased by her son Patrick Downey.

Following cremation, visiting hours will be held on Friday from 10:00 AM until 12;00 PM followed by her Funeral Service at 12:00 PM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St, Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Esophageal Cancer Awareness Association (www.ecaware.org) or you can drop $20 in a poker slot machine at Foxwoods in her honor.