Our dear sweet mother peacefully left this world on December 27, 2017, six days before her 88th birthday.
She was born in Los Angles, California, on January 2, 1930, to Johnnie and Virginia Johnson. She grew up in Moab with three sisters, Dorothy Jane, Ginger Rae and Kathleen Kae. They went on many trips with their dad selling fruit. She loved picking strawberries. She married Robert Downard on their senior trip on April 9, 1948, in Littleton, Colorado.
They were married for 68 years and have eight children: John (Debbie) Downard of Parawon, Utah; Robbin Snow of Castle Dale, Utah; Vicki Lowrey of Castle Dale; Linda (Rex) Moore of Eureka, Nevada; Merri (Gail) Gordon of Caldwell, Idaho; Rebecca (Richard) Dziuk of Delta, Utah; Cecilia (Scott) Sheehan of Bloomfield, Colorado, and Joe Downard of Moab, Utah.
She graduated from Grand County High School in 1948. She always wanted to just be a mom and raise her children. She loved collecting beautiful things and had an extensive collection of Madame Alexander dolls. She loved shopping especially for Christmas trees, ornaments and villages. Mom had an eye for decorating and loved her antique bar her father gave her. She had many talents. Mom was a good cook, and a wonderful seamstress who made many Halloween costumes for her children. She enjoyed bowling, hiking with her good friend, Naomi, and shopping with her children. Mom also loved watching the Utah Jazz and the Colorado Rockies and went to many of their games. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mom loved her home and never wanted to leave it. She will be deeply missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her father and mother; her sister, Dorothy; two brothers-in-law; daughters-in law, Stacey Downard and Donna Downard; and four grandchildren.
She is survived by her children; 28 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two sisters; and a brother-in-law, Richard Downard.
A graveside service was held on Saturday, December 30, 2017, at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
