Harriet Downing, wife of former WKU president, passes away at 100

Alexandria Anderson, Content editor

Harriet Downing, wife of former Western Kentucky University President Dero Downing, passed away on Friday, March 3 at age 100.

Downing was born on Oct. 31, 1922 in Seacy, Arkansas and attended the Western Kentucky State Teachers College in Bowling Green. There, she met Dero Downing and began a life of dedication to WKU.

Downing contributed much to the Bowling Green and WKU community, extending compassion to everyone who knew her. She acted as one of the earliest members of WKU’s Faculty Wives Club and dedicated much of her time to her family and faith.

The funeral will be Monday, March 6 at 12 p.m. at State Street United Methodist Church. Her visitation is Sunday, March 5 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Johnson-Vaughn-Phelps Funeral Home, and additional visitation will be Monday, March 6 at 11 a.m. at the church.

Content editor Alexandria Anderson can be reached at [email protected].