Cleo Stillwell Obituary

Cleo "Pat" Maxine Stillwell

Cleo "Pat" Maxine Stillwell, age 88, passed away on March 11, 2013 at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer, Alaska.

Services are not scheduled per Cleo's request. Her ashes will be scattered on her mother's grave at Hubble Hill Cemetery in Tonganoxie, Kansas.

Cleo was born December 4, 1924 in Osborne, Kansas daughter of Theodore and Emma Bomhoff.

Cleo "Pat" and Earl Downing were married on June 24, 1945. They traveled during their early years throughout California and Colorado, but finally returned to and settled on a large farm in Tonganoxie, Kansas for most of their married life together.

Pat was a devoted housewife and mother. She was an outstanding seamstress who loved to cook, and had a passion for quilting and sewing.

Pat decided to make a permanent move to Wasilla, Alaska in July of 1995 to live with her son, Jay D. James and family. She remained busy making many beautiful quilts and wall hangings. She was an artist at coordinating colors in her work. Pat belonged to the North Star Quilting Guild for many years and loved the weekly time with her quilting buddies.

Eventually she moved to Chinook Villa Senior Housing and made many good friends.

The family would like to thank her two long term caregivers: Alice Beattie and Linda Brewer for their many years of love and care.

Cleo is preceded in death by her father, Theodore Bomhoff; mother, Emma Louise Hall; sister, Betty Shive; and son, Jay D. James.

Pat is survived by her daughter, Nancy F. Downing of Chicago, IL; daughter & son in-law, Jana & Jerry McFarland of Porter, TX; daughter in-law, Marian James of Wasilla, AK. She is also survived by six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Arrangements cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.

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