Wanda Downey Obituary

10 years ago you were called home. I miss you dearly every day. I still catch many glimpses though...when I see Gracie tilt her head and wink...when Jack giggles uncontrollably... when Cora smiles and gives a comforting pat on the back.
Love you Mom♥

Mom,
Finally up to # 13 great grand kids for you from the Wyoming Downeys! Kelly just had her 4th and you guessed it another red headed boy. The first one born in May so far. John is finally out of college and is doing like Tim did, staying in the college town. Jill's youngest one Violet is about to turn 1 year old. Paul loves being a dad his kids love him very much. There is always something fun and new going on up here, but you already know that. Thanks for showing me how to love little kids, it was one of your best gifts.
Love Jeff

Mom,
It's 2014 and your grand children are adding mouths to feed and fat bellies to be kissed again. 2 more this year. Quin Downey and Adrien Ochoa. We are all healthy and happy. Looking forward to this summer so we can watch the 2 new faces smile and giggle as they feel grass between thier tiny toes for the first time.
Love, Jeff.

Hi Mom. I figured it was time to open some of the boxes of memories that I was able to keep from the old house on Pawnee. As I sorted through them, so many instantly brought back unforgettable times and great thoughts of having you as my mother. The stories that I tell Cora about growing up in our family make her laugh out-loud and look at me with a glimmer of excitement mixed with disbelief. She is a card shark and like you, will play all night until she wins a game. She uses your hair brush so that it can pass on some of your curls and she is still dragging around her "Grandma Toots Blanket." Jack is getting big and has a smile that looks like a combo of yours and Donald's. Were all doing well and we miss you daily. ~ Tim

Mom,
We added two more great grand children for you last year. Ana Downey and Jason Ochoa, both are getting big and are using your smile and laughter. They haven't met their cousin Jack yet, so next time you see him say hello from them.

Love, Jeff

It has been over two years since Mrs. D left her home on Pawnee, and we still look over to see if she's coming or going,, AND, I think I saw her the other day, moving the sprinkler!!!

Love,
The Neighbors.......

One of my favorite memories out of many was when Fred ran away right after a big snow storm. Of course Toots wouldn't drive in the snow, so I took her down to the dog pound in my bug to see if Fred was there. Realizing we could have a little fun, I turned onto the dog pound road a little faster than I should have and went spinning in circles down the road. Toots was holding onto the hand grip located above the glove box in the bug screaming the whole way. Fred wasn't at the pound, but I found one of my fondest memories of Toots on that road. I too miss her.

Wanda Downey will always be remembered in the hearts that she loved, the souls that she touched, and the smiles of memories gone by. Never forgotten for her kindness, her generousity, her care, her touch. Wife, mother, sister, grandmother, friend, she wore all these hats with pride and love.

I still have yet to find a chocolate chip cookie as tasty as hers.

Miss you, Wanda!

There are some things you never forget about a person. For me, the memory of my Gramma that sticks in my mind the most is the twinkle she had in her eye. She had a liveliness that was not loud but showed in her eyes. She was not one to try to gain attention by speaking, she just sat back and observed. She was like a magnet. People gravitated toward her quiet grace and her slow, beautiful smile. I will always remember how Gramma and I could spend hours together and barely speak at all, but speaking was not necessary. I don't think I've ever felt such a deep connection with anyone else- a wordless comfort and a sense of peace that I felt when I was with her.

Dear Mom,

Its been almost a year since you left. I still think about you every day and hope I always will. Most days I smile and laugh, other days I just think about your love for me.

Do you remember how I thought the world was magical when I was three years old? It was magical, it was all new to me. Through your loving hand the magic of the world and it's people were explained to me. Except the parts that you knew should remain magical and innocent in my heart.

Everyones fine here. Your grand kids and great grand kids are growing into smaller versions of you. Strong, loving, kind, honest, compassionate and forgiving. All the things that you tried to teach me they are becoming.

We miss you a lot. Expecially when something magical happens that we need you to explain.

You tucked me into bed, made sure my belly was full, bandaged my skinned knees but most of all you healed my heart when it was aching. You did all this not because I loved you - but because you loved me.

Love always,

Jeff

As the holidays approach, we are missing Wanda more than ever. She loved cooking Thanksgiving dinner for her family, just as much as she loved wrapping gifts for them at Christmas time. I am sad that she didn't get more chances to sew a beautiful holiday dress for her granddaughter, Cora. She is so deeply missed.

Wanda and I were buds. Even though I've known Wanda since elementary school, I really got to know her well 11 years ago when she agreed to take on the monumental task of making my wedding dress. Every time I would go over for a quick fitting, I would end up staying til the wee hours of the night playing cards at her kitchen table. We shared many laughs as she so patiently tried to teach me to play at her skill level, which I never did quite achieve (could have been something to do with the Blackberry Vines). When I had my boys, she took to them as if they were her own grandchildren - always on her lap - always invited over for a snack and a video in her kitchen (while of course we played cards). Wanda taught me life lessons that I will never forget. She taught me that it's more important to listen than to speak, that friendships are more important than anything you could buy, and that blackberry wine is not a mixer. Wanda was the epitome of grace. I will cherish the memories I have of her, and always aspire to be more like her – patient, giving and kind.

Our family only met Aunt Toots a few times, but we COMPLETELY enjoyed each visit when she & Karin came to Alabama to visit David's family. This is one of the most beautiful & moving obits I've ever read--- I wish I could have known her more--and I know David & his family will miss her so very much. What a wonderful woman!

My Dear Tim,

I cannot stop reading your mom's obituary. Your words captured her essence. Your brother Jeff's eulogy was beautifully delivered. I will miss my friend.

Our family were forunate to have lived by the Downeys since the eighties, we rented their cottage behind their home and then bought Mrs. D's Parents home behind that. We felt like extended family all the time. Mrs. D was always on call when our daughter, Chrissy, was sick and she'd say, bring her over and send along a good movie for us to watch. We always watched 4th of July fireworks in our yard. While she was on the board, Mrs. D introduced me to the Manitou Springs Woman's Club, which I am still a member.
Mrs. D walked her talk, she showed me that. She wasn't just kind, she showed how. She didn't talk bad about other.

Very sorry to hear of Wanda's passing. She was good people . . . had a kind heart and a good soul. She will definitely be missed.

I am truly blessed to have had Wanda in my life. I got to know her about 10 years ago when she so slyly hooked me into a card game at the Cain house. Several hours later and many games behind us, she had the smirk of woman that can’t be beaten in cards or in life. At that point, I felt as though I have known her my entire life. She embraced our family as though our last name was Downey. I enjoyed her company each time we had the opportunity to get together. She will be sorely missed but gladly remembered.

My Heart is heavy today to learn of the passing of Wanda, She was one of the most loving and giving people I have had the pleasure of knowing. For the short time that I was Room mates with Tim in Ft. Collins she was a second mother to me always willing to feed us, give us a place to sleep and of course the cards and coffee. The family will be in my thoughts and prayers on Saturday the 29th.

Donny's memories are of the card games that were started in the afternoon and ended next morning (they could not leave until Toots won)also was the great "left over nites" Toots was a crazy good cook and on left over nite you got a bit of this and that from the weeks meals it was a highlight! She always had a twinke in her eye and and you never doubted she loved you. Carolanne remembers her first visit to Toots house and learned Hand and Foot and drank lots of coffee it was a hoot! I also heard lots of stories about all the kids(oh man I know alot so be careful) Charlie loved her name he was pretty little the first time he visited her and kept saying Toots, toot, toot Toots...Ashley said she always loved it when she got to see Toots she was such a nice lady and had great cookies!
We will miss you!
Donny, Carolanne, Ashley and Charlie

What I remember most about Toots was how she always greated everyone with a smile (well, except maybe when I got Deb home late), followed by a hug, a long chat wrapped in with a game of cards, and filling our stomachs with some of the best food around! Everyone was welcome; just come on in and have sit. A big part of many of our lives was spent at that table, enjoying each others company. She will be missed!

We will always cherish the memories we've had with Wanda. She has touched all of our lives with her thoughtfulness, loving and caring ways. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Card Games well into the morning hours, many days and nights spent at a home away from home, growing up k-12 in two households with Tim, lessons taught and learned (not to play with fire), Wanda taught all of us as she did her own children. She has forever left her mark, the memories she created for all of us means she cannot be forgotten.

I will never forget the afternoons drinking coffee and visiting, but most of all the long nights we spent in Cripple Creek returning to Manitou when the sun was coming up. Wanda was such an inspiration so full of life and love she will always hold a special place in my heart. My prayers are with the family. What a beautiful article.

Jeff , Kathy and family,
My condolences on your loss. The obituary above is one of the most beautiful I have ever read. What a blessing to be one of her children. Your memories will be something to cherish and keep her alive in your hearts and family stories. Her strength will help you through this time of sorrow.

What a beautiful obituary for such a beautiful soul. We will all miss you dearly, "Toots"

What a wonderful woman. Wanda was like a second grandma to my son Josh. He would come home and talk about the cookies she would have ready for him after school. Wanda will be missed.