Beverly Downing

Beverly Downing died peacefully in her sleep following a brief illness on December 1, 2010. Beverly Jean VanWinkle was born March 23, 1930 in Ransom, Kansas to Clarence and Blanche VanWinkle. After moving many times throughout western Kansas and eastern Colorado, Beverly graduated from Windsor High School in 1948. Although she was blessed with a wonderful soprano voice, she decided to forego a career performing and instead went to Wichita State University in Kansas, where she graduated in 1952. On November 23, 1952 she married Harold Downing and together they had three children. They recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. Legally blind since infancy, she never felt disabled, yet devoted her career to helping others with disabilities first as a speech therapist and then, for the final 17 years before retirement, as the preschool teacher for Foothills Gateway. Her retirement years were filled with gardening, reading and playing computer games, as well as spending time with her family. Preceding her in death are her parents; and sister, Dorothy Cammack. She is survived by her husband, and children, Lorraine Wright, Elizabeth Downing Brion Rohrbacher, and Randy Downing. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Foothills Gateway in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80538. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at First United Methodist Chapel, 1005 Stover St.