Gertrude Joan (Myers) Downey, 91

March 17, 1931 – March 12, 2023

Gertrude Joan (Myers) Downey, surrounded by family and in the presence of her Lord, died peacefully Sunday, March 12, 2023. Gert was born March 17, 1931 in Butte, MT to Glenn D. and Martha (Robel) Myers, the eighth of twelve children. She passed away just five days before her 92 ^nd birthday.

Gert often credited her parents as "good, honest people" who, through their resourcefulness and faithfulness, had a simple but happy life during the depth of the Great Depression. She used those values to raise her own family. Gert graduated from St. John the Evangelist Elementary School and Girl's Central High School in 1948. Up until this winter, Gert and her 2 friends enjoyed lunch once a month, being the last three of their class. It was at a high school dance when she met Tim Downey, the love of her life. She was swept off her feet by the "smiling Irish eyes" of Tim Downey and a few years later she married Tim at St. John the Evangelist Church on May 6, 1950, in Butte and was his dance partner until his death in June of 1988.  Together Gert and Tim raised 10 children in love and faith, built a cabin at the Moulton that they enjoyed sharing with friends and family, and made many memories at the horse pasture behind the Big M and skiing at Beef Trail.

Gert worked several jobs and took a break to raise her children. Rejoining the workforce, Gert worked administering low income programs in Butte for almost three decades. One being the Anti-Poverty Council (later known as Human Resource Council), she retired in 1995 as its director. Gert was proud of all her accomplishments and helping the homeless. Some of her greatest accomplishments were the opening of the Homeward Bound program, helping with low-income housing for seniors at the Rosalie Manor (1977) and the Continental Gardens (1995). She was a faithful advocate for Catholic Education and lovingly volunteered her time at Butte Central Elementary, enjoyed time with her ever growing family, and regularly brought Holy Communion to the sick. As an active Associate of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Gert worked with the Butte affiliate of Habitat for Humanity and other community volunteers to help build houses for families. For her 75th birthday she threw a party and asked for help sponsoring the Smith home for a local family whose single mom died of cancer and, as her dying wish, asked that her three children not be put in foster care but to live with their grandmother. Together with family and friends, Gert was able to grant this wish and present the family with a beautiful home. She was a member of Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians and living Word Prayer Group.

Gertrude is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Timothy P. Downey; her parents, Glenn and Martha Myers; brothers Glenn (Connie) and Louie; sisters Marie (Johnny) Schumacher, Martha (Ken) Newton, Kay (Don) Brunell, Betty (Jack) Parker, Anne (Joe) Mooney, Frances (Mel) Mooney, Bernice Weeks, Geri Faulkner.

Survivors include her brother Clarence Jacob "C.J." Myers and brother-in-law, Al Faulkner, and many nieces and nephews.  Her surviving sons Tom (Wendy) Downey, Jim (Julie) Downey, and Jerry (Meg) Downey all of Butte; Tim (Nancy) Downey of Spring Lake Park, Minn; John Mike (Patrice) Downey of Anaconda; and Pat (Ellen) Downey of Bozeman. Surviving daughters Janice Downey (Jim Sheperd) and Joanie (Rick) Lyons all of Butte; Mary Cay (Mike) VanNuland of Hamilton, and Judy (Bill) Geer of Missoula.

Surviving and grandchildren: Paul (Leslie), Katie (Erik) Morrison, Levi (Corie) Downey, Sarah (Mac) Mackay, Anne (Chad) Mihelich, Beth (Mike) Paffhausen, Brennan Downey, Maureen (Chris) Doyle, Annmarie Downey, Caiti (Thomas) Ertz, Michael (Melissa) VanNuland, Peter VanNuland, Bridgette Leber, Jenny (Kevin) Heglund, Tim (Samantha) Downey, Erin (Seth) Knutson, Carey Jo Downey, Marcus Geer, Brian (Kate) Geer, Jared Geer, Molly (Eliot) Hill, PJ (Anna) Downey, Sean Downey, Ryan Downey, Mary Beth (Andy) Kelly, Michael Lyons, Joseph Lyons, Benjamin and Andrew Schnagl, Tom and Josie Schnagl, and Megan Schnagl.  Surviving great grandchildren: Paige, Claire, Zane, Halle, Grace, Sawyer, Ethan, Will, Mick, Piper, Patrick, Connor, Theo, Cullen, Ansel, Kiera, Nell, Mary, and Barrett.  Also, numerous nephews, nieces, and lifelong friends.

Relatives and friends may join the family at St. Patrick Church on Tuesday, March 14 ^th for visitation at 6:00 PM followed by the Parish Vigil at 7:00 PM. All are welcome to celebrate Gertrude's life at St. Patrick Church on Wednesday, March 15 ^th .  Visitation begins at 10:00 am followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am.  The burial will take place immediately following the Mass at Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Butte Central Education Fund, 550 East Mercury St., Butte, MT 59701, The Ladies of the Rockies, Butte Central Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, or any Catholic Mission Organization.