LACONIA --- Rachel (Isabelle) Downs, 91, of Ledges Drive, passed away on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at the Taylor Community, in Laconia, NH.
Rachel was born on April 20, 1934, in Keene, NH, the daughter of the late Oscar Isabelle, Sr., and Lucy (St. Jaques) Isabelle.
Rachel was a teacher at Holy Trinity for over 20 years and was also in the Frustration Hills Blues Band for over 10 years. She enjoyed playing cards, doing puzzles and knitting. Rachel also loved spending time relaxing on the porch with family and friends as well as tending to her flower garden in her backyard.
Rachel is survived by her sons, James A. Downs and his wife Rebecca, of Laconia, NH, Charles L. Downs, Jr., of Laconia, NH, Jason C. Downs and his wife Janna, of Plainfield, NH, and Keith M. Downs and his wife Celina, of Milton, NH; daughters Darlene A. Breton and her husband Raymond, of Gilmanton, NH, and Amy L. Moore, of Laconia, NH; brothers Oscar Isabelle,
Jr., and his wife Deirdre, of FL, and William Isabelle; sister Louise Weeks, of Concord, NH; 21 grandchildren, Nathaniel, Nathan, Amanda, Jared, Robert, Shane, Michaela, Rachel, Audrey, Austin, Abbey, Michael, Brian, Hadassa, Isaac, Giada, Martinian, Jordan, Raegan, Dominic, and Sydney; and 10 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Rachel is predeceased by her husband Charles L. Downs Sr., in 2012, her son Joseph A. Downs, in 1984, and sisters Ellen Morin and Doris Hamel.
Calling Hours will be held at Tuesday, January 20, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Andre Bessette Parish - Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH.
Burial will be held in the spring at St. Lambert Cemetery, Province Street, Laconia, NH.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, NH, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.