Veronica Downs-Dorsey, esteemed Black Catholic musician and educator, laid to rest in New Orleans

Veronica Downs-Dorsey, a longtime educator, mentor, and musician whose impact was wide-ranging, has died in New Orleans after an illness. She was 69 years old.

Her livestreamed funeral Mass was held Saturday at her home parish of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, where hundreds of friends, family, former students, and civic figures gathered to remember a woman who “lived her life for God and to God she has returned.”

“I am at peace because I know she prepared me 34 years for this day, teaching me valuable lessons about being humble, being loyal, not doing anything for a dollar, and doing everything in excellence,” said her daughter, award-winning drummer Veronique Dorsey, during remarks before the liturgy began.

“Veronica Lee Ann Downs Dorsey. My mama. You did everything your very best in all things, and I am grateful to be your daughter and your legacy. I know God is pleased with the life and the legacy you lived because the work and the life you lived undoubtedly speaks for you. Rest well, my girl. And if I live right, I'll see you in the morning.”

“On this day we have a reason to have church," said Fr Ajani Gibson, Downs-Dorsey’s pastor in her final years, during an emotional (and musical) homily that frequently brought attendees to their feet.

“This is indeed the day that the Lord has made. Indeed, we rejoice and are glad. Because He lives, her life has glorified him.”

Born in 1956, Downs-Dorsey was a graduate of McDonogh 35 High School and earned a bachelor’s in music education from Xavier University of Louisiana and a master’s in music education from Southeastern Louisiana University. A devout Catholic, she was raised at the former St. Monica Catholic Church and directed her first choir at nearby Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church when she was still a teenager.

She would go on to direct musical groups throughout the city of New Orleans, including St. Monica’s choir, the Voice of Peter Claver, the Archdiocese of New Orleans Mass Gospel Choir, and the Institute for Black Catholic Studies student choir. Outside of the Catholic context, she also directed the New Orleans Gospel Soul Children and the Voices of Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale—the latter of which she led in local parades during Carnival season.

A gifted pianist, Downs-Dorsey also served as an accompanist for the New Orleans Black Chorale, Tyronne Foster and the Arc Singers, the Davell Crawford Singers, and the New Orleans Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, Inc. 

During her 40-year career with New Orleans public schools, she served as a music teacher at her alma mater, McDonogh #35 High School, directing the Singing Roneagles gospel choir as part of her work. The group was a regular fixture at the annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest) under her direction, as were the Voices of Peter Claver.

Downs-Dorsey was also a noted singer and recording artist, having been featured on several Black Catholic music albums, including “Give Me That Old Time Religion” in 1986 with St. Monica’s Choir and the “Psalms from the Soul” series from Oregon Catholic Press. She also sang backing vocals on Doctor Bone & The Hepcats’ eponymous album in 2003.

During her career and ministry, Downs-Dorsey was the recipient of numerous awards, including—among others—the 1997 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Foundation Award, the Order of St. Louis Medallion in 1999, the 2014 Sophie Aramburo Servant Leader Award from the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ Office of Black Catholic, the 2015 NOLA Gospel Awards’ Trailblazer Award, the 2016 National Black Golf & Jazz Pioneer Award, and the Melchizedek Award from the Lyke Conference earlier this year.

Downs-Dorsey retired from teaching in 2021, but continued her ministry in the Black Catholic community until her death, including at St. Peter Claver, the Institute for Black Catholic Studies, and in various other roles. She suffered a stroke in 2024 that curtailed some of her efforts, but she continued to serve, including in a historic appearance with the Voice of Peter Claver at the National Eucharistic Congress that year in Indianapolis.

Downs-Dorsey was a member of New Orleans' Archdiocesan Commission on Sacred Music, the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary, and was a founding member of the Omicron Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., of which she was a faithful devotee and promoter until her death on Nov. 3.

Downs-Dorey was predeceased by her parents, Virgil and Ruby Downs; her grandmother, Emma Dupree; her father-in-law, Matron Dorsey; and her mother-in-law, Mercedes Dorsey. She is survived by her husband, Wardell A. Dorsey, and her daughter, Veronique.

The Dorsey family has asked that donations be made in her memory to the Veronica Downs-Dorsey Legacy Fund, which aims to raise $100,000 for the “training and formation of young church musicians to serve in Black Catholic parishes” and for young artists' formation at New Orleans Roots of Music after-school program.

Nate Tinner-Williams is co-founder and editor of Black Catholic Messenger.

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