Meet Ellie Downs
Eleanor “Ellie” May Gee-Downs has come to live with us at Caring House. We’re honored.
Born and raised in Maine, Ellie has criss-crossed the U.S. She joined the U.S. Air Force after graduating from Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, NH. Her service locations included Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming and March Air Force Base in California.
Ellie met and married her husband Kaye Downs at March Air Force Base. And she raised her two children (Carey and Diana) in Hermosa Beach.
After working 20 years as a Sales Administrator with Barton Brands in Carson, intrepid Ellie moved back to Maine and built her dream home. Surrounded by the Maine woods, Ellie loved the peace and quiet. She reconnected with longtime high school friends, and connected with new ones. Not one to just sit around, Ellie went back to work, this time at Sprague Energy in Portsmouth, NH.
Ellie came back to Southern California in 2014 to be closer to her children and grandson Evan. She’s reconnected with more longtime friends, and made new ones, as she moves forward.
A life time member of the South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club, the WAF Association (Women inthe Air Force) is also close to her heart.
We’re glad that Ellie is with us at Caring House. More new friends, for her and for us.
In Memoriam
Ellie died March 17, 2016. Honor her. Remember her.
Sharon Moran
March 2, 2016 @ 10:03 am
I am a friend of Diana Downs. I am glad to be able to see the beautiful Ellie. I have never met you but Diana has always talked about you.. I live in Albany NY. I remember her telling me that you were on a ladder painting your house one summer. She was so worried about you. I am glad you are now closer to your family. Reading your bio, what a wonderful life of accomplishments. I wish you the best and will pray for you. Love Sharon Moran
Diana Downs
March 2, 2016 @ 5:38 pm
Thank you Sharon for sharing your thoughts and prayers!
Leatrice Green
March 2, 2016 @ 12:45 pm
Beautiful lady…I will be volunteering @Caring House and look forward to meeting you!!
Art & Steven
March 2, 2016 @ 2:52 pm
Long time friends to Eleanor and family, Art and I have followed Ellie’s ardous journey over these last months. Through every obstacle we’ve seen her persevere with the love and support of her family. She has increadable spirit and determination. We will miss the after work visits we had with Ellie but are so very happy for her and her family that she is settled in to Caring House. Our most recent time with Ellie was an unforgettable brunch at Farm restaurant in Palm Springs.
We love you Ellie!
Diana Downs
March 2, 2016 @ 5:37 pm
She loves you both, and loved your visits…She also keeps asking how the Boys are:) I will show her your post!
Danelle Wells & Family
March 6, 2016 @ 1:51 pm
Dear Aunt El: We are so glad to hear that you are settled in at Caring House. We hope you will be comfortable and happy there. It’s nice that you can be closer to family. We enjoyed our recent visit with you. Your grace, intelligence, determination and adventurous spirit remains an inspiration to all of us. We love you! Danelle, Phil & Kelly
Diana Downs
March 6, 2016 @ 8:49 pm
It was so great that you were able to make the trip out to PS to visit her in January. She was so happy you were there, and we really appreciate the cross country trip you had to make to see her. Now, that she is closer she is able to see my brother, nephew and me much more ofter. It is great for all of us!
Thank you Danielle for your post! I will be sure to share with her.
Ann E.
March 8, 2016 @ 11:40 am
Hello Ellie – you’re such a beauty and I love reading your story. You inspire me! So happy that everything synched perfectly for you to live at this wonderful Caring House and closer to Diana, Carey & Evan. Keeping you close in my heart; sending lots of love and sunny best wishes, Ann E.
Tom says HI too! XOXO
DezaRae Hedrick
March 12, 2016 @ 11:38 am
Hello Ellie,
When I look at your picture, I see such a beautiful woman that I feel I like I know, even though we have never officially met. Your resilience and strength is inspiring. I am so happy you have found a peaceful, comfortable home in the Caring House. What a journey to get there but well worth it. I know how comforting it is to have your family close by, to check in and surround you with love and support. I am thinking of you. Sending my love and admiration.
DezaRae
Sio & Jeff Wilson
March 14, 2016 @ 1:38 pm
Dear Ellie,
You are such a beautiful and inspiring woman! and so fearless! We are so happy that you are now settled into Caring Home and closer to Diana and Carey. Our thoughts and prayers are with you every day!
Deborah Stegman
March 14, 2016 @ 4:09 pm
Dear Ellie,
Such a stunning picture and it brought a smile to my face looking at your brave spirit reflected in your picture! Diana has been keeping us all up here informed about your whereabouts and it looks like you landed in a very caring, nurturing place where Carey and Even can pop in for a visit. You are truly amazing and I am sure Diana and Carey are proud of your strength and character.
Sending you hugs,
Deborah Stegman
P.S. Really cool glasses!! :-))
Tracy Barna
March 18, 2016 @ 11:08 am
Dear Diana, Carey, and Evan.
I am so saddened to hear of Ellie’s passing. Even though she was only with us at Caring House for a short while, she was a pleasure to get to know. Thank you for the honor and privilege to care for such an exrtaordinary woman.
Such a huge devastating loss to Ellie’s family and friends, my deepest sympathy and prayers to you all.
Tracy (Caregiver)
Diana Downs
March 18, 2016 @ 2:32 pm
Thank you Tracy for your kind words. We will remember all you did for both my Mom and my family.
Jane Fisher
March 22, 2016 @ 3:18 pm
Diana, Carey and Evan,
I was so sorry to hear of Ellie’s passing. She was such a wonderful, caring, loving, strong person. She was my very good friend and I will miss her terribly. She talked of all of you so often I felt I knew you. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jane
Gods Garden
God looked around His garden
And found an empty place,
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your tired face.
He put His arms around you
And lifted you to rest,
God’s garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering
He knew you were in pain,
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb,
So he closed your weary eyelids
And whispered “Peace be Thine”.
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn’t go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
Love you Ellie ♥♥