On the morning of Tuesday, January 28, Nancy W Downing, a few short weeks after her 97th birthday, and with her children by her side, peacefully passed away.

Nancy Downing was born in Kansas City, Missouri on January 7, 1928, and grew up in Birmingham, Michigan, with her brother Pete (nee Charles) and sister, Betty, the children of Charles (aka Grouch) and Louise Whitelaw. She came to Colorado after transferring from Wheaton College (the one in Massachusetts, she was quick to point out, not that other Wheaton College in Illinois) to attend CU where she could earn a teaching degree, something Wheaton did not offer. She became a kindergarten grade teacher in Denver, living in an apartment with 3 other women, all named Nancy (the 4 Nancy's), who became lifelong friends. It was here in Colorado, where Nancy met Richard Downing Jr (Dickie to his friends and family). The two married in 1952 and soon had a busy, bustling family of 4 (3 boys and a girl), taking full advantage of all the wonderful things Colorado has to offer: skiing, playing golf and tennis, and enjoying Colorado's magnificent blue skies and outdoor spaces.

Nancy was an active, engaged member of her adopted Denver community, devoting hours to her favorite groups and places, like the Garden Club of Denver and the Denver Botanic Gardens. An avid gardener herself, she spent hours and took great pride in making her home a beautiful and welcoming space.

But the best things about Nancy Downing were not just all she did, and she rarely stopped doing, but who she was, in everything she did. Eternally positive, enthusiastic, grateful and caring, Nancy devoted her time and energy to something, and, inevitably, someone, else. She watched and cheered at an untold number of swim meets, gymnastics events, tennis matches, rugby games, soccer games and running races for her kids and grandkids, and still found time to be an avid and accomplished skier, golfer and fly fisher in her own right. When, at barely 40, she developed a severe case of lymphoedema in her right leg, which curtailed her time on skis and many other active pursuits, she barely slowed down. And she never complained – not once – despite the time, energy and effort required to manage the incurable swelling, and the loss of some of her favorite activities.  As a wife, mother, grandmother or friend, Nancy always put others first.

Nancy's family and many friends knew her to be kind, generous, brave, courageous, and gracious.  Small in stature, Nancy was truly a force. Eternally positive and ahead of her time, she and Dickie built rich and incredible lives for themselves and their family.  And no matter her own situation, she inevitably focused on the needs of the other person.  She conveyed kindness and gratitude, even when she herself was miserable. That's a rare and special trait, but it was Nancy Downing through and through.

Nancy lost her husband and best friend, Richard Downing Jr., in 2014, and thrived on her own, refusing to let her loss be what defined her. She had a busy life of daily walks, social events, bridge with friends, and never-ending meals and birthday parties with kids, grandkids and great grandkids.  Always with her sweet genuine smile, Nancy treasured her growing family (4 children and their spouses, 9 grand children and their spouses and partners, and 8 great grandchildren), and was never more thrilled than being the guest of honor at her great grandkids' birthday parties.

Nancy is survived by her sister Betty (Tone) in Ohio, her 4 children and their spouses and kids (Scott and Mary Downing, parents of Michael and Angela; Jeff and Jan Downing, parents of Fraser, Lanie and Molly; Peter and Mary Downing, parents of Ellen and Graham; and Julie and Scott Slotterback, parents of Anna and Will), and a host of delightful and bubbly great grandkids, all of whom miss her terribly and everyday recognize the love, grace and beauty that Nancy Downing brought to their lives.

A gathering is being planned for later this spring and this notice will be updated when that decision is made. There is no memorial fund, but anyone wishing to honor Nancy, feel free to make a donation to your favorite charity, or to one of Nancy's favorites, in her name: The Denver Botanic Gardens or the Garden Club of Denver .  She would love and be honored by that.