Marion Pfaender Downs dies at age 100

Downs, a New Ulm native who was the granddaughter of New Ulm founder William Pfaender, was a pioneering audiologist who in 1963 created an infant hearing screening program while working at a new otolaryngology clinic in what was then the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. The program has since been adopted by hospitals nationwide.

Downs also trained peers throughout the world in pediatric audiology, authored numerous articles and books, and lectured extensively. The Marion Downs Center continues her pioneering work.

Downs was born Jan. 26, 1914, in New Ulm.

She received degrees in political science and English from the University of Minnesota, a master’s degree in audiology from the University of Denver, and honorary doctorates from the University of Colorado, University of Northern Colorado and University of Arizona School of Health Sciences. In 2006, she was inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame.

The nearly 100 articles and books she has published cover various aspects of audiology – and the pre-eminent textbook “Hearing in Children,” which she wrote with friend and colleague Jerry Northern, has been translated into several foreign languages.

One of her works reflects her joie de vivre. In 2007’s “Shut Up and Live: A 93-Year-Old’s Guide to Living to a Ripe Old Age,” Downs advises readers to “laugh, exercise, love and enjoy sex, rebel against your aches and pains and live out your passions.”

In addition to her extensive work in audiology, Downs was an athlete. She won five gold medals for tennis in the National Senior Games, and she didn’t give up skiing until she was 95.

Also, she survived a plane crash and had several brushes with death while lecturing in Vietnam during the war.

Her children – Sara Voorhees, Jody Pike and George Downs – 16 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren remembered her at a private service held in California on Nov. 15. On Jan. 9, the Marion Downs Foundation will host a celebration of life.

Her family suggests donations to the Marion Downs Foundation, 4280 Hale Parkway, Denver, CO, 80220. Information at mariondowns.com.