Carolyn Jean "TiTi" Cuzzort (Downey)'s Obituary
Carolyn "TiTi" Jean Downey Cuzzort, age 81, of Dayton, passed away on Sunday, May 14th, 2023.
Carolyn was born on September 27th, 1941 to Robert and Edith (Nichols) Downey. She graduated from Bellbrook High School in 1960 and then from Bowling Green State University in 1964 with a Bachelors in Education. Carolyn used her degree to work as a Speech and Language Pathologist for Beavercreek City Schools for 31 years. During her time at the school she won several prominent awards.
Carolyn was very involved in her community, specifically with the Lions Club where she served for many years in various roles. She served as a treasurer and as a president, working on the scholarship committee, organizing the annual craft fair, serving at the pancake breakfast and the community garage sale, manning the cake wheel, and putting together the widow and widower baskets at Christmas.
Carolyn's faith was very important to her. She was a charter member of the former Bethel Lutheran Church in Bellbrook. For many years she brought her gift as an educator to Sunday School by faithfully teaching a member with special needs. A true leader, she served many terms on the church council in a variety of offices, lastly serving as Council President. In 2019, she felt called to join St. John's Lutheran Church in downtown Dayton. For the past 4 years she has served as the chair of the church's Community Meal Ministry which provides nutrition services to the homeless and underserved in downtown Dayton.
Carolyn had many physical challenges throughout her life. She faced each of them with grace and exemplified what it means to persevere and succeed when challenged. She was a woman of her word and when she promised something, she always came through. Carolyn was truly a loyal friend. She was also heavily invested in her son's life, especially through sports and friends, even becoming a "second-mom" to many of them. She was a generous person, constantly giving to and serving others. She was a light to those around her, and she will be missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Edith (Nichols) Downey, brother John Downey, niece Dawn M. Roethler, and grandparents Edward and Eleanor (Davis) Nichols and Charles and Anna (Reese) Downey. Carolyn is survived by her son Brett E. Cuzzort, step-son Joseph E. Cuzzort, step-grandchildren Saylor G. Cuzzort and Ethan Cuzzort, siblings Patricia A. (Timothy) Roethler and Robert H. (Susan) Downey, friends Pastor Steve and Carla, as well as many nieces and nephews and close friends.
To help the family celebrate her life, you are invited to share during her visitation at St. John's Lutheran Church (141 S Ludlow St, Dayton, OH 45402) on Friday, June 2nd from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. A Life Celebration Service will be held immediately following the visitation at 11:00 am. There will be a luncheon for family only at the church following the service. Inurnment will take place at Bellbrook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Hospice of Dayton (online https://www.hospiceofdayton.org/donations/ or 324 Wilmington Ave, Dayton, Ohio 45420), Bellbrook Lions Club (PO Box 111, Bellbrook, Ohio 45305) or St. John's Lutheran Church (141 S Ludlow St, Dayton, OH 45402). You are welcome to write a condolence message, send flowers, plant a tree, upload a photo, and share a story about Carolyn at www.ConnerAndKoch.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Carolyn?
What’s a lesson you learned from Carolyn?
Share a story where Carolyn's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Carolyn you’ll never forget.
How did Carolyn make you smile?