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Monday, August 24, 2015

In Memory of the Beloved Tina Downey...

Raise a glass for Tina,
the super organized co-host from our A-to-Z Team.
Known for lending a helping hand to newbie and veteran bloggers in need.

Ever the straightforward woman, unafraid to have hard conversations, she also had a knack for fine-tuning details, simplifying complex tasks and making sure we got things done.
Tina showed us what it’s like to juggle a full load as a mother, wife, friend, daughter and writer while still finding ways to stop and smell the roses, and have fun.

The witty sign-offs in her messages were like additional reminders that kept everyone in high spirits and often made us laugh.
So it's easy to see how, without her, we've come to feel very understaffed.

It’s been one year since Tina, the kindhearted Swedish woman who many of us had the honor of getting to know, was laid to rest.
Still her memory lives on through those she loved, those she helped and the examples she set for taking on challenges in stride while still putting forth our very best.

Though Tina battled chronic health conditions, she still enjoyed campfires, quoting the movies, hiking, and a glass of Chardonnay when she could.
So today, let’s give a big toast to Tina Downey, the Sunflower-loving powerhouse who taught us that if you just keep swimming, you will find something to smile about because life is good.

Tina with her husband Neal. Photo courtesy of the Downey Family via AJ Lauer.
Katrina Mai Downey passed away August 23, 2014 at Longmont United Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She was 49 years old. She was born August 4, 1965 in Mölndal, Sweden to Leif and Bonnie (Schnebly) Bilen. Tina spent her early childhood in Sweden, moving to Silver Spring, MD in 1974 where she competed in gymnastics and cross country. The family moved to Englewood, CO in 1983. Tina graduated from Denver Christian High School in 1984, where she played clarinet in the band and met her future husband. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, and a teaching certificate from Colorado State University in 1988. Her complete obituary can be viewed at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory.

20 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Tina, we miss you. So much!

T. Powell Coltrin said...

What a great reminder of a wonderful life.

Heather M. Gardner said...

So well done, Nicole!

What a wonderful person she was and I think of her each and every time I see a sunflower!

Tina, you are missed.

Heather

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Every time I see a sunflower, I'm reminded of Tina. She managed to be upbeat no matter what.

AJ Lauer said...

Miss her ALL the time! I think of her every time I visit the town she lived in (which is about 30 minutes from me), and every time I see a CO sunflower growing by the side of the road.
What a dear friend.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Nicole - what a great reminder and celebratory post about Tina's life ... yes sunflowers, the sunshine, the love of life ... and then the Vikings - for me she was the Viking chick - I shall have to write my Viking post - I left it too late ... though I managed one about the way their lingo affected our language still to this day.

Always a chardonnay around ... with good rapport and a complete understanding of this blogging life, and how to make and keep friends with the hope that one day we'd meet - sadly not to be. She did accomplish so much while coping with her illness ...

My thoughts to her family ... I often think of everyone connected with her - she brought them all to life ... lovely photo of her with Neal ... thanks Nicole - Hilary

Pat Garcia said...

Thank you so much for posting this. I never got to know Tina personally, but she's left behind a great legacy with the A to Z Blog Challenge.
Shalom,
Patricia

Nicole said...

Tina is irreplaceable and will forever be missed. She touched so many lives during her time here.

Arlee Bird said...

Still it's hard to believe that Tina has left us since her spirit still seems so much with us. She left her mark on A to Z in a big way.

Thanks for the tribute, Nicole.

Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out

Anonymous said...

Beautiful tribute.

S. L. Hennessy said...

I was only getting to know her when she was sadly taken from the world, but she made such an impact. I hope she looks down from Heaven and knows what an impact she made on the world.

Lisa said...

Here, here! A toast raised to Tina! Her legacy lives on.....

Jeremy [Retro] said...

The world is just not the same, we always must remember the good things... Tina is and was a great someone to know. THANK YOU!

Jeremy

Debra Renée Byrd said...

This is so weird. I saw two high sunflowers behind this blue house and immediately thought of you all and Tina.

Jo said...

I too miss Tina. A wonderful woman. I keep seeing sunflowers everywhere lately and of course, think of Tina.

J.L. Campbell said...

A beautiful and fitting tribute.

Cathy Kennedy said...

Although, I did not know Tina well, she was always so nice to comment every time I visited her and she always made me feel like a friend. RIP, Tina!

Mason Canyon said...

Tina is missed every day. I can't see a sunflower now and not think of her.

Unknown said...

Not a day goes by when I don't think of her. Love you, Tina.

Michelle Wallace said...

What a beautiful tribute... a truly wonderful person.
I'm so grateful and feel blessed that I had the chance to know her and interact with her...