Helen Elizabeth Shipman Downs, was born on August 21, 1917 in Pilesgrove, New Jersey to Henry and Linda (Seagraves) Shipman. She passed peacefully, at Silver City Care Center on April 23, 2016 at the age of 98.
Helen was the 4th of 8 Shipman children. She attended Sharpton Grade School and Woodstown High School. She continued her education and graduated in 1940 from Cooper Hospital School of Nursing in Camden, New Jersey, a branch of the University of Pennsylvania.
Helen joined the army in June 1942 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia and at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington DC and Camp Riley, Kansas. She traveled thru Rio de Janeiro on her way to Durban, South Africa. She worked in Accra, British West Africa, Ghana, Dakkar and Senegal where she took care of the soldiers who contracted malaria. Lieutenant Shipman returned to the United States and served at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs.
Mrs. Downs met her husband in Africa and they were married in Clovis, New Mexico, March 26, 1945. They lived in Dallas, Abilene and Austin, Texas before moving to Arenas Valley and then to Silver City, finally settling in their home north of Silver City.
Helen worked at Fort Bayard Medical Center. She and her husband helped to establish Border Area Mental Health, originally a suicide prevention call center.
Helen Downs was one of the founding members of the Foundation for Gila Regional Hospital. She retired from the Foundation in October 2011 after serving for 23 years. She was a member of the Copper Cowbelles, The Silver City Women's Club, the 24 Club and one of the original members of the Copper Crest Country Club. Helen loved her dogs and cats and contributed to the Humane Society. She valued her Catholic faith, her military service and her family and friends.
Helen was preceded in death by her loving husband of 43 years on August 7, 1988. In addition, she was preceded in death by her parents, one brother Charlie, and 6 sisters, Harriet, Dot, Betty, Lemeta, Janet and Gertrude.
She is survived by numerous nieces, nephews and their families. She is also survived by friends throughout Grant County and the US.
A prayer vigil will be held Wednesday, April 27 at 11:30am at St. Francis Newman Center with Father Tony Basso reciting. The funeral mass will follow at 12 noon with Father Basso officiating. Concluding service interment will follow with full military honors at Fort Bayard National Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777.
To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.