Obituary of Wilma Downing

DOWNING - Wilma Elizabeth (1926 - 2007) passed away on February 4, 2007, after a brief illness with cancer. Her parents, Cassino Charles and Jean Ann Downing and her brother, Charlie, predeceased her. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Maureen Downing, her nieces, Shannon and Patricia, and nephew, Kelly (Yolanda) of Edmonton. Wilma completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Notre Dame College in Wilcox in 1949 and had great respect for Pere Athol Murray. Many Notre Dame Hounds, her classmates and friends, will fondly remember her. She received her Bachelor of Education degree from Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick in 1951. She taught in Nelson, BC, at Bedford Road High School in Saskatoon and for two years at Notre Dame College. She was much loved and appreciated by many students whose lives she touched, especially those who attended Sheldon Williams Collegiate where she taught for thirty-four years. The gymnasium there was named in her honor in 1990. She was an avid Roughrider fan and an outstanding coach and mentor for many young athletes. She was an active member of the Royal Regina Golf Club and belonged to several service clubs. Wilmas love of animals was well known to all. She enjoyed bowling, coaching basketball and track and field, and encouraging many young people to reach their zenith in life and in athletics. She was inducted into the Regina Sports Hall of Fame in 2004 for her countless hours of voluntary work in and around the Regina area. The Sheldon Williams 50th Anniversary Reunion, which coincided with the celebration of her 80th birthday in July, 2006, was the highlight of Wilmas fondest memories. In the weeks prior to her death, she was very appreciative of the many visits from long time friends and former students. The happy memories that many students recounted in appreciation of the guidance and help she so generously gave, made her final days more bearable. At Wilmas request, there will be no funeral service. Following cremation, her ashes will be inurned at a later date in the family plot at Tisdale, Saskatchewan - the town of her birth. A Celebration of Wilmas Life will occur at Sheldon Williams Collegiate at a date to be later determined. Special thanks to Dr. C. Geddes, Dr. L. Clein and the staff of the Palliative Care unit at the Pasqua Hospital. In lieu of flowers, friends so wishing may make donations to The Wilma Downing Scholarship, c/o Athol Murray College of Notre Dame, Wilcox, SK or to The Sheldon Williams Alumni Fund for a scholarship in her name.