Ljubica "Molly" Ilic-Downing

Ljubica (Molly) Ilić-Downing, 62 of Kettering Ohio joined the angels in heaven July 16, 2020 at the James Cancer Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends as well as so many countless people who she touched during her life.

Ljubica’s departure was preceded by her parents Vukašin and Magdalena (Manda) Ilić, and she is survived by her loving husband Karl Downing, her wonderful daughter Magdalena (Maggie) Downing, as well as her second set of parents Helen and Glen Tonini.

Born in Sremska Mitrovica, Vojvodina Yugoslavia (now Serbia) an only child, grew up in the small town of Šid. Graduating from Belgrade University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Defectology from the Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation, department of visually impaired children. she went on to work at Principovac (hospital at the time) instructing children with developmental disabilities and special needs.

After immigrating to Kettering, Ohio she worked as a private nanny and then went on to work for the University of Dayton Child Care Center, now the Erma Bombeck Learning Center, where she worked as an Infant Toddler Teacher. She obtained her Master of Science in Education and Allied Professions from the University of Dayton as well as a certificate in Early Childhood intervention. While her passion was children and loved being a part of their development, she also relished the opportunity to be an associate professor at the University of Dayton where she taught undergraduate and graduate courses in Early Childhood Education. Ljubica also moonlighted as a dresser for Wardrobe Union 886, at the Schuster Center in Dayton, Ohio. She would tell people she could undress them in less than 13 seconds, where her husband would counter her by saying, I have not personally experienced that.

She loved folklore dancing and while growing up in Šid she performed with Skud Sveti Sava an amateur traveling folklore group. After transitioning to a life in the United States, she became an intricate part of the Yugoslav Club now the South Slavic Club where she continued her love of dancing with the Zivio Dance Assemble. She enjoyed expressing her culture and traditions with others, which showed through her enjoyment of cooking and baking.

It gave Ljubica great joy to host parties at her house and she loved being sounded by family, friends, and laughter. In her house, everyone was welcome without hesitation and treated as one of the family, just don’t have an empty plate or cup, because it was surely to be filled again.

Her proudest accomplishment was raising her daughter who brought great joy into her life.

The family will receive friends Thursday, July 23rd 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Westbrook Funeral Home, Bigger Road. Funeral Services will be held Friday, July 24th 10:00am at Westbrook Funeral Home followed by a precession to Calvary Cemetery for graveside prayer service.