Lis Downes

Lis Downes passed away on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at the age of 91.

Born Lissi Poulsen in Denmark, on August 19, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Emmy (Nebeling) Poulsen. Lis was a teenager during the second World War. On D-Day, she was walking through a field of flowers, and gave a flower to the first American soldier she saw. As a young adult, Lis worked at television and radio stations in Denmark. She was visiting Austria when she met her future husband, Richard Downes. They wrote back and forth for 2 weeks, and he proposed marriage to her in a letter. Lis came to the US and married Richard. A few years later, she became a US citizen. The marriage lasted for 12 years, and after her divorce, she put herself through school to become a court reporter, working for Ellie Corbett and Associates in Philadelphia. Lis retired at age 62, and spent time traveling and enjoying the countryside.

She is survived by two daughters, Karen Lis Colon and Nina Lee Vaughn (Martin Wayne Vaughn); one grandson, Jason Colon; and two step grandsons, John Martin Vaughn and Anthony Wayne Vaughn; and three great great grandchildren.

A visitation will be held for family and friends from 2 pm until 3 pm on Saturday, May 22, 2021, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, followed by a memorial service at 3 pm. Face masks are required for all in attendance. Interment will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lis’ memory to the Delaware Humane Association, 701 A Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.