Kathleen "Kathy" (Downer) Mayhew , of 63 Parker Ave., St. Johnsbury, Vt., passed away early Monday morning, March 10, 2008, at the age of 72. She was able to die at home with her family by her side after courageously facing her battle with cancer. She was born in South Fayston, Vt., Nov. 5, 1935, one of four children born to John and Grace (Boucher) Downer. Kathy was employed by the Area Agency on Aging for 20 years and retired in 1999. She was a certified tax preparer and specialized in doing taxes for the elderly She was an active member of the Third Congregational Church in East St. Johnsbury. She volunteered at The Food Shelf and at hospice which was in keeping with her very giving nature. She is survived by her husband, Robert, whom she married Jan. 1, 1956; three children, Richard Mayhew and wife JoAnn of St. Johnsbury, Susan Ferguson and husband Christopher of Fletcher, Karen Lee and husband Kenneth of Lebanon N.H.; her seven grandchildren, Patrick, Jackson, and Katie, Zachary and Alex, Nicholas and Natasha; one brother, John "Jack" Downer Jr. and wife Lorraine of Morrisville; one sister-in-law, Carol Downer of Dalton, Mass.; Bob's brother and sisters, John Mayhew and wife Sonja of Vernon, Conn., Donalda Page of Barnet, Sarah Bergen and husband David of North Granby, Conn., Marie Batchelder and husband Arlan of Walden; cousins, nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by two brothers, Gilmore Downer and his wife Jean formerly of Lyndonville, Philip "Pete" Downer formerly of Johnson. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 13, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Third Congregational Church in East St. Johnsbury. Her friend and pastor, the Rev. Ann Hockridge, will officiate. Burial will be at a later date at the St. Johnsbury Center Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home Wednesday, 5-8 p.m. Those wishing to send a memorial contribution are asked to consider any of the following: Area Agency on Aging, 461 Summer St., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819; Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756-0001; or Caledonia Home Health, P.O. Box 383, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.