Margaret E. Downing
Margaret E. Downing
As the early summer heat began to warm the earth on the 17th day of June in 1946, it filled the winds with exuberance and the promise of possibilities that swelled America’s chest after The War. On this day, that same warm wind rushed through the perfectly wound, dark curls of a young woman’s hair, trying to tug them out of the open window of a speeding car that wasn’t slowing down until it reached the minister’s home in Goldendale, Washington. A smile fixed on her face, and her mind racing with what the rest of her life would hold, this lovely woman, Margaret, was the passenger in a car that was about to deliver her to the beginning of a life of love and gratitude the depth of which she could have never possibly created in her mind.
That car was being driven by Joseph Calvin Downing, a young man wild with love and anticipation, and an eagerness to make the woman sitting next to him, his lifelong bride. They had only known each other for six weeks, three of those weeks Cal had been in Bremerton, WA mustering out of the Navy. By the end of that short time, they both knew that God had set their lives in motion.
Margaret Elizabeth Morgan was born on January 17, 1928 to James Caleb Morgan and Gladys Bessie McQueen Morgan in Sunnyside, Washington, notably at Aunt Fern’s house. She was raised in Sunnyside alongside her sister and brother and graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1946.
After their marriage, Margaret and Calvin had their first daughter, Jackie, in Moscow, ID where Cal obtained his degree in forestry and Margaret received her PHT (putting hubby through). The couple followed Cal’s career in the Forrest Service to Boise, ID and Manti, UT where they had their second and third daughters. While in Manti, Margaret was introduced to her lifelong obsession with the game of Bridge. Margaret also had a love for stitch work and created beautiful crocheted bedspreads and afghans for her children and grandchildren.
Margaret was at once a loving wife, a steady and caring mother to her three wonderful daughters, and a doting grandmother eager to lavish her grandchildren with attention and love. Those same grandchildren remembered those traits when they made Margaret a great grandmother, and kept watch over the spoiling they knew was inevitable. She loved traveling, nearly as much as she loved being in the company of her family. Any human being that ever came in contact with her found themselves calmed and enamored with the gentle spirit of their new friend.
Margaret loved the Lord. Her close relationship with God was evident in her every act. Her many years as a member of the Central Assembly congregation were an integral part of her life.
In the early morning of the 21st of March, 2016, the sun rose on Margaret Downing in Heaven, as her time on earth had come to an end. Surrounded by family, who held love, respect, and fondness in their hearts for the time they have had with her, she passed away. She was greeted not only by her parents, but also by her sister Margery June Minnich and brother Ronald James Morgan.
She is survived by her loving husband, Cal Downing; their daughters: Jackie Downing Greeley, Mary Zimmerman (Rodney,) and Kathy Gilmore (Arlen); grandchildren: Jesse Smith (Heather,) James Smith (Annesa,) Jeremy Zimmerman (Minerva,) Joshua Nicks (Wren,) Ryan Zimmerman (Patsy,) Mary Luff (Jeff,) Kara McElya (Jim,) Rebekah Omas, and Sarah Greeley; 15 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, and her dog, Skylar, all of whom will smile to themselves when they remember the sound of her voice, and the blanket of her hugs. Margaret will be missed, but she will be seen again.
Viewing will be held at 10:00 am with services to follow at 11:00 at Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel on Monday, March 28, 2016 with Pastors Al Cambra and Ted Buck from the Central Assembly Christian Life Center, officiating. Burial will be at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery at 1pm.
1928 - 2016
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