Mehl Ree (Draper) Downard

Mehl Ree Draper Downard passed away at home in Albuquerque, NM on July 7, 2022, at the age of 88.

Mehl was born on November 26, 1933, in Spring City, Utah to Floyd Clinton and Leola LaVee Nielsen Draper. She grew up learning to work hard in the small farming community of Spring City with her brothers and after graduating from Mount Pleasant High School enrolled in Snow College, later transferring to Utah State University where she graduated with honors, earning degrees in Sociology and Education.

Mehl had several careers throughout her life which took her to some very exciting places and her skills led her to some very important positions. While living in Washington DC she spent 4 years working in the White House with the Special Assistant to the President for Science and Technology during the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations. This led her to positions working for EUCOM in Switzerland for a short time and later in Paris for several years. While living in Paris she made some lifelong friends and had many opportunities such as taking the train with her friend Carol Heinz for a week-long tour of Italy.

After returning home, she reconnected with and married Thomas Richard Downard, who she had known since childhood. They were married in the Manti, UT LDS temple on December 18, 1964, then moved to Bountiful, UT and began building their family with the arrival of their eldest daughter Melissa the following year. Soon after, Mehl discovered she was again expecting and they welcomed their second daughter, Christine. One of her greatest heartbreaks was the stillbirth of their third daughter Amy, but a year later they happily welcomed their eldest son, Eric. After the loss of Amy, Mehl often felt that something was missing, and several years later their family was completed with the birth of their youngest son Benjamin.

In 1984 the family began a new chapter of their lives in New Mexico, living first in historic Santa Fe for 8 years and then relocating to Albuquerque. Although it was a culture shock at first, their years in New Mexico opened new opportunities and perspectives and brought them many very dear friends.

Mehl was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and her church service was a very important part of her life. She served as Stake Primary President and later Stake Relief Society President, as well as numerous other callings over the course of many years. In addition, she supported her husband Richard during his time as Bishop in various wards. She was always willing to donate her time to help others, even after sustaining a lung injury that required her to use oxygen for the rest of her life.

Mehl is preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and LaVee Draper, her brothers Clinton and Theron Draper and her daughter Amy Downard. She is survived by her husband Richard Downard and her children; Melissa Egbert (Frank Mercurio), Christine Ortiz (Michael Ortiz), Eric Downard and Benjamin Downard (Julie Downard), as well as her sister-in-law Patricia Draper. She is also the proud grandmother to her 3 beloved grandchildren: Ashton, Taylor and Jadyn Ortiz.

Services will be held on Tuesday, July 19th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints San Victorio chapel at 11750 San Victorio Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87111. Visitation at 1:00pm and chapel service at 2:00pm.