Edna Downing

Downing, Edna Carolyn Minneapolis & Minnesota Educator Passed away peacefully On Saturday, April 12, 2008. Daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Edward C. Downing (Georgia Nina Brace), was born in Minneapolis and was a lifelong resident. She graduated from North High School with honors and Macalester College and the University of Minnesota with Bachelor of Science and Master's Degrees, and did further graduate work at the University of St. Thomas and Universities of Iowa and Minnesota. Ms. Downing was a recognized leader in English Education nationally, statewide and locally. She received her University of Minnesota Lifetime Outstanding Achievement Award in 2004. For thirty years she taught and administered in Minneapolis as a teacher and Chair of English, Speech and Latin at Sanford Junior High School and as a citywide consultant in English and Humanities. She wrote the first book on the use of the newspaper in the English class with units for grades 7-12. The book was judged the best publication by 250 educators, editors and publishers brought to Washington, D.C. by the American Newspaper Foundation. She was a member of Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church. She was a Friend of North United Methodist Church for more than thirty years. A special club for Ms. Downing was the Polarettes organized by students in their junior year at North High School and serving as a philanthropic club. Miss Downing was proud of and active in her 1936 North High School Class. Her love for flowers emphasized and symbolized in her English Cottage Garden at her home - her birth place and lifelong residence received the Blue Ribbon "Secret Garden" Award in 2003. This love for flowers led to her establishing The Downing Seasonal Garden at The University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in memory of her parents, a garden changing annually because it is an award winning Annuals Garden. Visitation at Washburn-McReavy Swanson Chapel, 1600 Lowry Avenue, Thursday 4-7PM. A Memorial Service at NORTH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 4350 Fremont Ave, N. Friday 11AM with visitation one hour prior. Interment at Crystal Lake Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the donor's choice. Washburn-McReavy Swanson Chapel 612-529-9691

Edna Downing

April 16, 2008

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