Mary Geraldine Downs

Mary Geraldine "Gerry" Downs was raised on a small family farm in Illinois during the Great Depression. It was the quintessential American farmstead with cows, pigs, chickens, lambs, a vegetable garden, and big fields of corn. Gerry's pet lamb would trot alongside the wagon that her father (Hallie) used when taking her to school during bad weather. It was a place of hard work and self-sufficiency. She had three brothers. Marvin, Hadley, and Reid who flew a P-51 in WWII, survived and after the war went back to being a farmer.Gerry attended the University of Illinois, graduating with a Bachelors in Geology, her interest piqued by Indian Arrowheads and Geodes gathered on the farm. She took a job with Shell Oil Company as one of the first female field geologists, one of the 'Shell Belles'. Field studies brought her out west to Colorado, where she fell in love with the landscape of the Rocky Mountains. Gerry eventually worked her way into a tightly held men's luncheon poker game in the Denver office. She was quickly recognized as an excellent player who teased "the boys" with her gold lam coin purse packed with winnings. It is treasured to this day.A highlight of her early years in Colorado was spending her vacation time at Tumbling River Ranch outside of Grant, Colorado. She cleaned cabins, wrangled horses, and became close friends with the owners, Ernie and Meezie Keyes. At the time, Gerry lived in Denver in an apartment on Colorado Blvd where she took notice of a young Air Force captain, Don Downs, with a shared love of the outdoors and, not to be missed, a shiny new Ford Thunderbird. Marriage quickly followed in 1957. Gerry and Don then moved to Colorado Springs, where they built their dream home, started their family, and raised their son, Andrew and daughter, Ann.The family home of sixty plus years reflected the couple's shared love of all things outdoors. Trees, flowers, an amazing garden of vegetables, raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb, apples and pears, and a first-class compost bin. Gerry was an excellent cook and there was always something wonderful baking in the oven. She was famous for her chili sauce and apple butter which simmered for days, bringing the rest of the family running. Gerry later continued her love of horses, riding and exploring at the Ingersoll ranch south of Colorado Springs. She was active with the Broadmoor Garden Club for many years, served on the Board of the Palmer Conservancy and the Colorado Springs Day Nursery.Gerry passed on November 5, 2021, at the age of 96 surrounded by her family. She is survived by her husband, Don; her son, Andrew and his wife, Beth; her daughter, Ann and her husband, Mark Spoor; and grandchildren, Hallie a musician who resides in Brooklyn New York, and John with the US Navy currently based in San Diego California; and her niece, Mary Jo Moreland of Rochelle Illinois. She lives on in the memories of family and friends for her warmth, selflessness, and kindness. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Palmer Conservancy.