Theresa Downey

Theresa Savard Demmon Downey, 90 of St.Ignace passed away Saturday morning, November 14 at Christian Park Healthcare Center in Escanaba following a lingering illness. Theresa served as treasurer for the City of St. Ignace for several years and was employed as payroll clerk for LaSalle High School, retiring in 1977. Mrs. Downey passed away Saturday, November 14, 2015, at Christian Park Healthcare Center in Escanaba. She was born April 24, 1925, to William Charles and Agnes Marie (nee Raymond) Savard in St. Ignace. She married Leonard Demmon. He died in 1976. She later married Wilbur Downey, and he also preceded her in death. Mrs. Downey was graduated from LaSalle High School. She was a member of St. Ignace United Methodist Church, and an elder of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Mrs. Downey was the matriarch of the Demmon clan, family members said, and her house was where her family gathered for holidays and throughout the year. She lovingly prepared countless meals, as cooking was one of her greatest passions. She could prepare, cook, and bake anything. She also loved doing crafts, and was quite talented. She busied herself with quilting (one for each child, grandchild, and a few more), crocheting, knitting, sewing, oil painting, making soft dolls, and pine needle baskets, always to give away. Most of these were done in the winter months, when she wasn't traveling and enjoying warm winters on the beaches of the Gulf, collecting seashells. In the spring, summer, and fall, Mrs. Downey's interests were her grandchildren, gardening, berry picking, canning, entertaining, and feeding the birds and squirrels. Someone was always stopping in, and she was happiest when she had company. Her best friend and brother, Bernard Savard, visited daily. When her parents and two sisters, Hazel and Evelyn, were alive, family members frequently visited and they loved to listen to the stories they told. Many card games were played at her table, always with coffee and homemade treats. She loved to teach and share her knowledge, and she had strong moral values. All of Mrs. Downey's children love the outdoors, animals, gardening, and cooking, as well as many of her grandchildren. She taught family members how to cook, bake, make jellies, can, play pool, garden, sew, play numerous card games, balance a checkbook, drive a stick shift, and other life skills. She will be remembered, her family said, as a kind, caring, proud, giving, and patient person. Her family meant the world to her. Mrs. Downey is survived by four children and their families, Leonard and Kathryn Demmon of Minnesota, Ernest and Pam Demmon of Gladstone, Bill Demmon of Princeton, and Kathy and Don Arp of Cedar Cove, Tennessee; three stepchildren and their families, Alan and Alice Demmon of Lansing, Beverly Haines of Potterville, and Janet and Bill Lupowski of East Jordan; one brother and his family, Rodney and Kathleen Savard of Wells; 20 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by four sisters, two infants Viola and Mary Clara Savard, Evelyn Utter, and Hazel McCall, and three brothers, Charles Savard, Ray Savard, and Bernard "Archie" Savard. Friends may call at Dodson Funeral Home in St. Ignace Thursday, November 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Graveside services will follow at St. Ignatius Loyola Cemetery, followed by a luncheon. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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Theresa Downey

November 14, 2015