Mary Catherine Downs

Mary Downs, copper-headed, Fox Valley poet, died at home on December 8, 2016, grateful for her full and happy life. Mary, who lived at the Heritage in Appleton, Wisconsin for over 25 years, celebrated her 93rd birthday on June 5, 2016. Born Mary Catherine Lummerding to Nicholas Edward Lummerding and Wilamina Mary Fischer Lummerding, the oldest of three vivacious girls – Mary, Peg and Carol — she was raised in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, took commercial courses at Kaukauna High School, and graduated in 1941.
Soon after, she entered employment with Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company and worked in accounting and administration there until 1969. She attended St. Norbert's College, studying English while working fulltime. She loved to read, listen to NPR, and travel.
In 1969 she married widower Martin L. Downs, a Thilmany executive, moved to Greengrove Road along the Fox River, and acquired two adult daughters, Kathleen Krahn Downs and Stephanie Downs Hughes (husband Duncan). She joined Martin to become an enthusiastic member of the Brownouts, a couples social group formed during WWII. At Greengrove she expanded her interests in playing piano and harpsichord, sewing and gardening – making the riverfront bloom. From birth a member of St. Mary Catholic parish in Kaukauna, after moving to Appleton she began her enduring connection to St Thomas Moore Catholic Church. She also relished participation in Kings' Daughters Infant Welfare Circle and Over the Tea Cups. She was a dedicated volunteer with the helping organization Leaven for twenty years.
Mary and Martin greatly enjoyed the children in the Greengrove neighborhood, long walks and bike rides, word games, reading the paper and discussing the news, and travelling together. They had many adventures across North America – including to family in Boston, Pittsburgh, and British Columbia – throughout Europe and beyond.
The Downses moved to The Heritage in 1991. Mary immediately became active in the life of the community there and remained so over decades. She served creatively on the Welcoming Committee, helped run the library, served on the governance council, and obligingly read at poetry slams. She relished involvement with a poetry round robin. Her poems have been published in numerous Wisconsin poetry collections. Her own best-known compendium is entitled A Hundred Miles to Go.
Mary was preceded in death by husband Martin in 2008, sister Peg (Gene) Winn in 2003, and sister Carol (Jim) Ashauer in 2010. Mary has loved keeping connected to her family and many friends – who will keep her alive in their thoughts. She has relished frequent visits from daughters Kathleen of Ladysmith BC; Stephanie and husband Duncan of Naperville IL; grandsons Nathan Downs Hughes, wife Jennifer Joy (Sigman), and grandchildren Aiden Martin (8) and Emily Joy (4) of Pittsburgh PA; and Ryan Downs Hughes of Portland, OR. Mary has shared Packer Backer fanaticism with her Ashauer nephews who now live in California: Stephen in Aliso Viejo and Michael (Patty) in Napa. She is also survived by her niece Barb Bobber (Cliff) of Kimberly and numerous grand- and great-grand- nephews and nieces, including Mark Bobber (Kristi) of Oak Creek WI, David Bobber (Stacy) of Waukesha WI, and Sheri Kennedy (Scott) of Prairie Du Chien WI.
A memorial mass for Mary will be held on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at 11:00 am at St Thomas Moore at 1810 North McDonald Street, Appleton 54911 (739-7758), with Fr. Gerald Falk officiating. Visitation for Mary will be on Tuesday at the church from 9:30am to 11:00am. Interment will be at Highland Memorial Park in Appleton. Memorials in Mary's honor may be directed to the Martin L. and Mary L. Downs Fund at the Community Foundation of the Fox Valley Region, 4455 West Lawrence Street, Appleton WI 54914, tel: 920-830-1290, cffox.valley.org, or Leaven (Fox Cities), 1475 Opportunity Way Menasha, WI 54952.