Family is saddened to announce the sudden passing of Carmen Icylma Downes on Sunday June 22, 2025 at the Scarborough Health Network-Birchmount Hospital. Preceded in death by her parents Leonie Davis and Coleridge Hampson, and her husband of 24 years Neville Downes. Carmen is survived by her son Kevin (Shannon). She was a devoted and loving grandmother to Lailah and Elijah. Survived by siblings Evelyn, Kathleen (late Patrick Sr), Caleb (Elverita (Kathy)), Persis (Clarence), and Richard (Myrna); and several nieces and nephews in Antigua and Canada.

Viewing will be held at The Simple Alternative Funeral Centre, 1057 Brock Road, Pickering, ON, L1W 3T7 on Wednesday July 2, 2025, from 4:00pm-8:00pm.

The Funeral Mass will be held at the Church of the Nativity, 10 Sewells Road, Scarborough, ON, M1B 3G5 on Thursday July 3, 2025. Visitation from 10:00am-11:00am with service to follow at 11:00am.

Interment at Duffin Meadows Cemetery, 2505 Brock Road North, Pickering ON, L1X 2T3.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Carmen attended the Antigua Girls High School from 1956 to 1961.

She achieved a bachelor's degree in Information Management. She also completed a program of studies in Adult Training and Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE).

Carmen was employed as a Training Consultant by Toronto Community Housing Corporation, one of the largest housing corporations in North America, from where she retired in 2012.

In the area of sports, Carmen was a member of the Antigua National Netball team that competed in tournaments across the West Indies in the 1960's and 1970's. She remained a sports enthusiast to the end.

Carmen received several awards for her work as a member of the Antigua Jaycees now JCI Antigua. In her later years in the Jaycees, Carmen was appointed Public Relations Officer for the West Indies Jaycees.

In Toronto Carmen continued to offer her services to the community by becoming a member of the Antigua and Barbuda Association and held several positions on the Executive.

As Priests Warden at the Anglican Church of the Nativity in Scarborough, ON, she used her management skills and knowledge while working with the Priest and others to ensure the successful operation of the church.

Carmen was a mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, and sister. She will truly be missed.

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