Elizabeth Martine Downing (Liz to her friends, Mort to her family) was pronounced dead in Portland, Ore., on Jan. 27, 2012. Her ready smile, infectious laugh and enthusiastic spirit for getting things done will live on as friends and family and the people she touched each remember her from time to time.
Elizabeth was born in Fayetteville, N.C., on April 8, 1970. Shortly thereafter the family moved to the San Jose/Santa Clara area of California. In 1978, they moved to Pocatello, Idaho. As a young woman, Mort's travels led her to Yellowstone National Park and to Bellevue, Ketchum, Sun Valley, and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, with a layover or two in Idaho Falls or Pocatello, as well as periodic visits to Portland. We believe she was happiest and most dynamic during the years she spent in the Wood River Valley.
Mort was a cute little blonde who could be seen cycling around town or darting about in her black Bug with Fynnegan, her golden-doodle and faithful companion of 7.5 years. As a budding entrepreneur, she created two businesses that reflected her desire to help critters. Dogs and their humans still benefit from Happening Hounds; birds and birders from Twigs and Seeds. She stayed active by cycling, skiing and fly fishing, while her creative side excelled in gardening, decorating and creating ornaments from twigs and seeds—to be hung outdoors to feed nature's little wild things.
Mort's spirit of giving to others and her willingness to help led her to Hospice activities, to train Fynnegan to serve as a companion pet for shut-ins, to be a docent at the Idaho Falls zoo and to devote herself to rescue for dogs. She traveled to many places, touched many lives and always volunteered to help a stranger or lend a hand to a friend whenever the occasion presented itself. She was loved and will be missed.
Elizabeth was predeceased by both sets of grandparents and one uncle. She is survived by her great aunt, her mother and brother, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, and cousins. Her beloved Fynnegan has returned to her birth home with Chris Haugh in Bellevue to be reunited with her golden-doodle littermates and to be—as Elizabeth wished—loved and pampered by those who live and enjoy life so eagerly.
The family will not be holding a memorial service. But we encourage you—her friends and co-workers—to remember Elizabeth with a service of your own at a time and in a manner that would celebrate her life. We feel deeply that she would be honored if you would support the shelters and animal rescue efforts in your area by whatever means you have available to you.
