Mary Boman Downs

August 19, 1933 – October 30, 2016

Mary Boman Downs, 83, passed away Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016 surrounded by love with her family at her side, at McKay Healthcare and Rehab in Soap Lake, Wash. Mary had bravely confronted cancer and a life-changing stroke in the last two years. She was at peace with the cycle of life.

Mary was born Aug. 19, 1933 to Golden and Pheobe Pitcher Boman on the family farm in Lewiston, Utah. She was the seventh of nine children, the baby girl and adored by her older brothers and older sister Connie. Mary was six when Ted was born. Tending Teddy was a fun job. She worked and played alongside her cousins almost every day and their connection remained strong until the end. She loved sitting next to her dad with the team and wagon taking wheat to the mill and getting flour. They would laugh, tease and sing “You are my Sunshine,” and he taught her to yodel. She liked working with her dad in the fields. She was always glad when there was a baseball game on the radio, as then “I would get a little extra rest.” When she got older her dad would introduce Mary as his “right-hand man.” Driving the team down the narrow ditch bank road, the reins barely reached her outstretched hands when she stood in the very tall loaded hay rack; Mary knew her mother would be watching for her. Her mother would offer a prayer for Mary every time. This power of prayer was carried with Mary her whole life. She had a lot of special times with her mother and learned many homemaking skills along with teachings of the Gospel.

Mary graduated from North Cache High School in 1951. This is where she met her husband Joseph Lee Downs. Lee and Mary were married in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple on June 29, 1951. They started their life together in Smithfield, Utah, 13 miles from where Mary was born and raised. They remained in Smithfield, farming rented ground and milking cows, before moving to Quincy in 1955. Leaving behind close family and friends was hard for both Lee and Mary, but it was a move they both embraced. Living and farming in Quincy in these early years was challenging. Mary met these with hard work and positive attitude. She raised nine children. Canning, freezing, drying, preserving was the only way you kept your family fed. She grew a large garden and kept the freezer and shelves full. This was a lot of work. Mary realized the interests and talents each child held. With uncanny ability she found ways for each child to have an opportunity to explore interests and improve talents. In later life, when she had a passage in a book, a newspaper clipping, or something off her printer, she would share it with you. Mary had many other interests that she embraced throughout her life. She loved gardening, particularly roses, was an avid reader of many diverse subjects, enjoyed craft making, playing the piano, listening to music, researching and using holistic medicines and sending many cards and letters to loved ones. The internet was a new avenue to stay in touch with her cousins she grew up with. She loved the holidays and Christmas.

Mary was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She raised her family with the Gospel. She was willing to serve in whatever capacity she was called to serve. Temple work blessed her and the lives of those around her. She loved opening her home to missionaries. She loved her ward family and missed the spiritual nourishment she got by just being with them.

Although Mary was confronted first with cancer and then a life-changing stroke, true to the person she was, she made the best of the situation. Her effervescent personality brought much happiness to everyone she met. She often expressed her gratitude and love for the people in her life.

Mary is survived by husband J. Lee Downs; children Peggy Downs, Mary Ann Ramirez (Efrain), John E Downs (Claudia), Tom Downs (Ann), Nancy Combs, Joseph Arvel Downs, Bee Downs and Beckie Torgersen (Byron); 26 grandchildren; 51 great-grandchildren; brothers Lael Boman and Ted Boman and 13 cousins.

Mary was preceded in death by son James William Downs; parents Golden and Pheobe Boman; brothers Alva, Ray, Don, Asael and Vernal Boman and sister Connie Boman Blair.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016 at the Quincy LDS church.

Please leave a memory for the family or sign their online guestbook at www.scharbachs.com.

Scharbach’s Columbia Funeral Chapel, Quincy, is assisting the family with arrangements.