GLORIA DOWNEY

Gloria Rose Downey Sunrise 3/8/1931 Sunset 2/8/2011 Gloria Downey, 79, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on February 8, 2011. Gloria was born on March 8, 1931 in Columbus, Georgia to Kirby and Mary Thompson. She was a devoted army wife who lived around the world. Gloria raised four children, sometimes single-handedly, as our father was defending our country. Her sense of humor, gregarious nature, and her genuine interest in people endeared her to everyone she met. Gloria enjoyed golfing, gardening, and the "occasional" slot machine, but her family always came first and foremost. She had numerous and insurmountable health issues which she fought courageously, only succumbing to God's will in the end. As our uncle Phil expressed, "She has always been a Southern gentile lady and a real Georgia peach, but underneath all of that, she is a real steel magnolia." Gloria was preceded in death by her husband Paul, and will be dearly missed and cherished by her children Karen (Denis) Nadeau, Linda (Mark) Richards, Michael (Kim) and Patrick (Jill) Downey; grandchildren Jeff (Tera) and Dan (Angela) Nadeau, Karissa (Chaz) Pingul, Alex, Deidre, Casey, and Jackson Downey; great-grandchildren Nathan, Jacob and Finley Nadeau, Carson and Chloie Pingul; sister Jackie (Chuck) Mason, and several nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the Franciscan Hospice House for their compassionate care and support, and suggests that donations be made to Franciscan Hospice House, 2901 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, WA 98466 in her memory. Memorial services will be held at The Church at Lakewood (7912 Lakewood Dr., Lakewood, WA 98499) on Saturday, February 19th at 2:00 pm. "Don't cry for me because I am goneEsmile because I was once here."