DOWNARD, Susan Gail

Wickenburg (AZ) Sun Wednesday, December 2, 2009, p A-10 After a long stubborn fight with cancer, it came to pass that Susan Gail Winters-Downard heard her Lord and saviour call her home. Sue was born Feb 1, 1936 in Pendleton, Ore. She grew up in eastern Oregon and Idaho. Although her parents were not wealthy, they managed during the Great Depression and so as a result she exhibited skills of resourcefulness that carried over for a lifetime. She came to Arizona with her late husband Zane Winters and children in 1980. She enjoyed traveling and spelunking in old mining tunnels and visiting the old ghost towns and areas of the West. Her other hobbies included sewing, creating dollhouse, doll customs, planting and flower gardening. She was a single mom for many years and managed to make sure there was always enough to go around. She was a kind and compassionate soul, therefore willing to help her fellow man or woman. She helped many a homeless person who crossed her path. She reserved a soft spot for little critters in her heart. Mother even had a pet skunk for a while. She contributed to her church and their "Dorcus" effort for many years until her hands became too crippled. She would gather donated food to make food boxes and personally deliver to shut-ins around her community of Congress, until she herself became too feeble. Mother was very dedicated in her sponsorship of several worthwhile organizations including the Humane Society, World Wildlife Fund, Red Cloud Indian Defenders of Wildlife, St Joseph's Indian School of Chamberlain, Boys Town of Nebraska, Guidepost Ministry for Children, Congress Food Pantry, and many more. When I asked Mom if she could go anywhere and do anything, what it would be, her reply was to go over the world and build orphanages for the children. I could easily see her sewing clothing for each and every one of those children as well as cooking and serving them meals. We'd like to thank Hospice Family Care of Prescott, Accurate Oxygen, Lea Way of Yarnell Medical Clinic, and friends who helped during her last months. She was preceded in death by her mother Hazel Legler, father Larry Webb, and brother Timothy Webb. Her survivors include son Robert of Wickenburg, daughters, Rose and Rhonda Lena Clark, and her husband Dennis. She is also survived by grandchildren Veronica of eastern Arizona and Kyle and Denysa of California. We her family encourage donations in the form of volunteering to a local organization such as a hospice care facility or the humane society or cancer support group. Services are today (Wednesday, Dec 2) at 3pm at the Seventh Day Adventist Church located at 970 N Tegner Street in Wickenburg. Arrangements are by David's Desert Chapel Funeral Home.