Downing, Mary Elizabeth 1925-2010

DOWNING, SAYRE, MORRIS, COOK, RUBINI, GREEN, SHAFER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 4/15/2018 at 12:05:18

Mary Elizabeth Downing
1925 - 2010
Bradenton, FL

Mary Elizabeth Downing, 85 of Bradenton, Florida died Saturday, October 23, 2010 of complications from congestive heart failure in Boynton Beach, Florida.

She was born in Lima, Ohio on August 28, 1925 to parents Carl H and Oguereta Morris Sayre.

After her parents died she was raised by her Aunt and Uncle, Col. Chauncey E and Rella Morris Cook following her Uncle's military postings in Ohio, Puerto Rico and Minnesota. She attended Bowling Green University.

Mary Elizabeth married Dr. Arthur H Downing March 24, 1945 in the Fort Snelling Chapel, St.Paul, MN. After the end of WWII, they settled in Des Moines where they lived until 1987. They remained married for 64 years until Arthur's death March 27, 2009. Mary Elizabeth was active with many volunteer organizations, including Junior League and, especially, PEO. She also worked as Office Manager for the last years of her husband's medical practice. She was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Des Moines and Christ Episcopal Church in Bradenton.

Mary Elizabeth is survived by sons, Richard M. (Patti) Downing of Carbondale, Colorado, Michael J. (Patricia) Downing of Springfield, Oregon; daughter, Jane Elizabeth Rubini, Boynton Beach, Florida; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Jason) Green, Punta Gorda, Florida, Jennifer Rubini, Cleveland, Ohio, Courtney Shafer, Springfield, Oregon; great-grandchild, Derek Shafer, Springfield, Oregon.

She was predeceased by her sister, Elizabeth Jane Cason.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 21, 2011 at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines, Iowa. ~ The Des Moines (IA) Register Fri 20 May 2011.