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Downey Happenings 5/13/02 by Penny Greaves

The loss of our good friends and neighbors continued this past week with the death of our dear neighbor and friend of thirty years, Mary Penrose Christensen.

Mary was one of the first in the neighborhood to visit when we bought our home two years after coming to Downey. We had a three-year-old and a baby on the way, and she was right there with a loaf of warm homemade bread to make us feel welcome.

We were to enjoy many of those famous loaves of bread over the years. Mary taught second grade at Downey Elementary, and our oldest child, Randy, loved her dearly when she taught him. She retired after that, but her influence in the neighborhood continued to be felt.

All the neighborhood kids would gather under the huge pine tree in her back yard to play. That tree became a fort for fighting Indians, a space ship for going to the moon, and any other thing active imaginations could come up with. The kids brought food, drink and a mess to the yard, but Mary welcomed them without a word of criticism.

When none of us mothers could find the kids, we knew they were under Mary’s tree–and under her watchful eye.

Mary played the piano in those days, and loved to sit at hers. We could hear her occasionally in the summer when all the windows were open–all kinds of music, and a lot of church songs.

Mary also sang. She was a lifelong member of the Madrigal Choir, but I remember her most as part of a wonderful trio–The Three M’s–which performed free of charge for anyone who asked. Along with her dear friends Margaret Boam and Muriel Wilding, Mary made beautiful music.

Left a widow with young children early in her life, Mary raised her three children and provided for them with her teaching salary. She was an example of determination and courage to all of us. She loved to collect dolls, and until she had to move into a retirement home, had a wonderful collection of all types of dolls stored lovingly in display cases in her spacious bedroom.

Mary never learned to drive, but there were many of us who were glad to give her a ride. She was such a cheerful, pleasant person to be around, that it was a privilege. Mary became quite frail in recent years, and spent time in Preston in the retirement home and later the nursing home.

Last year, Byron Martin remodeled the old Downey Elementary School and we had our own retirement center. Mary moved to Downey once again, occupying a room that was once part of the classroom in which she taught for so many years. It was in this room that she died.

In the months she was here, she enjoyed daily visits from friends who were glad to have her close by. But she grew increasingly more fragile. I visited with her the week before she died, and we reminisced about what a wonderful neighborhood we had enjoyed together.

Gosh, Mary, we’ll miss you.

Downey will increase in population Saturday as hundreds converge at Davis Arena for the Second Annual Race Day. Sponsored as a fund raiser by the Marsh Valley Senior/Community Center, the event features lawn mower races, races for kids’ electric cars, arena games, vendors, food and fun.

Chairmen Bill and Gail Hancock say this year’s car show, held in conjunction with Race Day, will be an enormous effort with many more vehicles than last year. The Downey Area Chamber of Commerce will feature a booth with homemade candy, patriotic pinwheels and children’s games, under chairmanship of Ann Yearsley.

The Downey Lions will have their booth, just south of Davis Arena, open to serve burgers, curly fries and soft drinks, so the day should be a lot of fun for those attending, says Hancock. Activities get underway at 10 a.m., with registration beginning at 9 a.m. Everyone is welcome to participate or watch.

More South Bannock County Fair activities have been announced for the Friday edition of the Fair in August. South Fair Advisory Chairwoman Karen Bloxham says the Bannock County Farm Bureau will present their annual Talent Show at the South Fair this year.

The South Fair has acquired a fold-up wagon stage, which will be used for performers. Bloxham said the wagon was donated by Bob Hahn of McCammon, who is a frequent Downey volunteer.

Also performing on Friday will be the Marsh Valley Jazz Band under direction of Don McGuire, and hungry folks will be glad to know that American Legion Post #21 will sponsor a wonderful barbecue dinner once again.

The Downey Lions Club will once again have a children’s bouncing room for one of the Kids’ Day presentations. This was a big hit last year, Bloxham said.

Rick and Karen Bloxham, Travis Bloxham and wife, Bob and Mary Denney and son Shane and Heath Day were in Ely, Nevada, over the weekend to pick up Karen’s sister, LaRae, and bring her back to Downey for a visit. LaRae spent time with her mother, Ardean Call, sister Linda in Pocatello, and brother Richard Call, as well.

Eugene and Louise Webb are welcoming an addition to their home and family–his mother, Ruby Webb, has come to live with them. She was honored by the family on Mother’s Day.

Tony Hancock has resigned after several years as Downey’s Maintenance Chief. Tony says other opportunities have come along, and he wants to take advantage of them. He and wife Michelle are completing a new home in town.

Many old neighborhood friends were in town for Mary Christensen’s funeral Saturday. Former Downey druggist and owner of Downey Pharmacy Harry Allsop was a speaker at the funeral. He and wife Dorothy had with them daughters Brynne Allsop Heaton and Kimberly Allsop Johnson.

Weekend visitors at the Earl and Nadine Crockett home were their son and family, Mr. And Mrs. Earl Lynn Crockett. Earl Lynn is stationed at Hill Field near Salt Lake. Also at the Crockett’s home was her mother, Vonnie Rosenlof of Arizona, who will be in southeast Idaho for several weeks visiting all her children.

Bret and Darlene Downs and family took a joyously sad trip to the MTC in Provo, Utah, last week to deliver son Richard. Richard was beginning his service as a missionary, and will be sent to the Dutch West Indies in a few weeks.

Kenneth Williams has been in the hospital after falling and injuring himself at home. He is once again home with wife Donna, and is recuperating well.

Linda Brim, a 25-year teacher of second grade at Downey Elementary, was honored at a retirement party Saturday night at the school. A reception was held prior to the program, during which she was presented a book of letters written by former students, colleagues and friends.

Many kind words were spoken about this outstanding teacher, and she deserved every one of the. For 24 years, I was Public Information Officer for School District #21, and for many of those years it was my privilege to write stories about Linda and her teaching. She was innovative, caring, concerned and firm. Her students loved her (including three of my children). They especially loved the unit she taught annually on native Americans.

Children could earn plastic bear claws to string on to a leather thong for a necklace for each thing they completed on the unit. It was something they loved, and they worked hard to earn the bear claws. My children still have theirs (and one of these days I’m going to make them take them to their own homes!), and reminisce fondly about the unit.

Linda’s talents will be missed at the school, but she and husband LaVern Brim, have other things they want to do–more time with grandchildren, and perhaps a mission.

Speakers in the Downey Second Ward Sunday were new members Steve and Naomi Olman, who are living and working at Downata Hot Springs. Youth speaker was Chancey Anderson. During the meeting, Kim Brown was released as Beehive Advisor, and Shane Brown was released as first counselor in the Young Men’s organization. Mark Bloxham was released as a Sunday School teacher.

Sustained were Mark Bloxham as first counselor in the Young Men, Luke Foster as a Sunday School teacher, and Denise Austin as the Beehive advisor. A special Mother’s Day program ended the day in the Ward.

Mother’s Day gatherings were the order of the day for the Gregg and Burnadene Dawson family, and Fred and Bersha Harrison welcomed members of their family, as well. Neil and Jodene Hollingshead had family home for the weekend.

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