RICKABAUGH, Mary Lou

Arizona Silver Belt, Globe, Arizona Wednesday, Apr 14th, 2010 Mary Lou Rickabaugh 78, died at home Feb. 22, 2010. She is promoted to Glory and with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Mary Lou (Roberts) Rickabaugh was born Amanda Jean Downey August 14, 1931 in Independence, Kan. Her parents, Hazel and Cecil Hugh Downey, ceased their marriage relationship soon thereafter and infant Amanda Jean was placed in the hands of another family. At eighteen months Amanda Jean was adopted by Jess and Olla Roberts and her name was changed to Mary Lou. Mary Lou was in very poor health before her adoption, suffering severe malnutrition and rickets. Olla and Jess Roberts (now deceased) devoted their efforts to helping Mary Lou regain health. In the earlier part of her life, she walked with an almost imperceptible limp which worsened later in life along with other health problems related to, it is believed, her early bout with malnutrition and rickets. Mary Lou led an active life through her pre-teens, teens and adult life. Her genuine interest was always in the happiness of doing for her family, other people and animals. In her pre-teens she was active in church youth groups, learning piano, giving readings (stories, poems) to groups and doing charity work. It was during this period of time she actually met and visited with child actress Shirley Temple. Her teen years continued with church youth fellowship, high school (and college) band, and doing for others. During her adult life her activities involved being a wife, mother (parent, friend and pal to son Warren and daughter Cathryn), Cub Scouts (Den Mother and organizer of other Cub Scout troops), Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts, church work (including “Team Kid” program for children grades 1-6), vacation bible school, stained glass (one piece hangs in the hospital chapel), painting, learning hammer dulcimer, fishing, camping, travel (including international), horses, dogs, cats, obtaining a short wave radio license, (KA7HSX). She was one of the eight people who established our local Copper Cities Community Players theater group in 1981 which is active to this day. A year or so later she was one of the performers in the play “Girls of the Garden Club.” In the area of “helping others” she provided financial support for many children in third world nations - this support is still active. She was also part of the project team that established, in 1993, the Auxiliary at Miami-Inspiration Hospital which is now Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center. Mary Lou was active in an RV Club and “co - Wagon Mastered” RV trips involving up to 30 RV rigs. Mary Lou was able to locate and meet her half brother Lt. Col. Oliver E. Downey (now deceased), his wife Catherine and two children. She was also able to locate and meet her paternal father (now deceased) but was unable to locate her birth mother (Hazel). On the “Downey” side of her family she is survived by her sister-in law Catherine and 23 nieces and nephews. On the “Rickabaugh” side of her family she is survived by her husband Dale, son Warren (Bertha), grandson Ramsey and granddaughter Selene; daughter Cathryn (Fred) Tilly, four step-grandchildren, eight step-great grandchildren and two step-great great grandchildren. Memorial Service will be at CENTRAL HEIGHTS BAPTIST CHURCH, 5468 S. Apache Ave, Globe (Central Heights), Ariz. on Saturday, April 24, 2010, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family suggests supporting the Hospital Auxiliary or the Hospital Foundation at Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center, 5880 S. Hospital Dr, Globe, AZ 85501. Contact Jane Allen 928-402-1230. Thanks, Nan O’Donnell, Miles Funeral Services Miami, 309 W Live Oak St., Miami, AZ 85539.