Ivy B. Allard

4/20/1928 – 3/31/2018

Ivy B. Allard passed away on Saturday, March 31, 2018 after a lengthy illness. She is survived by son Stephen and daughter in law Diana. Grandson William of Omaha; sister Mavis Garn, brother John Downs, sister in law Marguerite Downs, of England and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husband Art, Brother Ken Downs, brother in law Ken Garn and sister in law Doris Downs. Special thanks for Skyline Nursing and Hillcrest Hospice.

Ivy was born April 20, 1928 in Walsall, West Midlands, England to Percy and Edith Downs. She grew up with a loving family, including Brothers Ken and John and sister Mavis. The family experienced very difficult conditions during the Second World War, with the heavily industrial West Midlands bombed nightly and food rationing a constant worry. Ivy had many responsibilities during the war years aside from attending school, there were daily excursions to scout for unexploded incendiary bombs and trips to the bomb shelters at night. She also managed to graduate from Walsall Technical College and earn advanced life saving certificates.

In 1945 Ivy met a young American soldier named Art Allard at a local dance venue in Lichfield where Art was stationed. Things progressed as they did in wartime, and Ivy and Art were married at All Saints Parish Church in Bloxwich on August 4, 1945.

After they returned to Nebraska, Ivy made frequent trips home to England to visit, including one in 1955 with her 4 year old son Stephen sailing on the Queen Elizabeth from New York to Southampton and returning on the Queen Mary.

Ivy adapted well to life in Nebraska and learned to hunt and fish with Art’s family, something very new for her. She was an expert swimmer and wasn’t afraid of any high diving board she encountered. She also enjoyed tennis. She was a teacher for Encor and Goarc, both dealing with mentally challenged children.

Ivy was gregarious and outgoing and the life of many a party and not afraid to speak her mind in any situation. She was active at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Omaha and The British Commonwealth Club. She was extremely fond of dogs and leaves a new grand- dog Cody, whom she met just a few days before her death. She and her husband Art loved to travel and took many trips after he retired. She will be greatly missed by her family.

Private family services will be held at a later date.