While centuries bore witness to folks lured to these parts in search of gold, a meaningful friendship with local Joyce White is what prompted Loryce to relocate to Downieville in 2012 and embark on a new adventure. As one friendship researcher, Lydia Denworth, stated, “Science has found three minimum factors for a quality friendship: It’s a stable long-standing bond; it’s positive; and it’s cooperative -- it’s helpful, reciprocal, I’m there for you, you’re there for me.” Thanks to her friendship with White and others, including the McNamara family, a ripple effect would ensue, and an entire town would benefit from Loryce joining the community. Some may remember Loryce waitressing at the Grubstake, managing the Two Rivers Gallery store (where Sabrina’s at the Forks is now), and helping with Clamper activities. Loryce pitched in with the Downieville Fire Auxiliary and assisted the Downieville Fire Protection District with bookkeeping and secretarial duties. Seniors will remember her time helping with the weekly Senior Lunch and her efforts as a Golden Rays Board Member. Most significantly, Loryce was a dispatcher for the Downieville Volunteer Fire Department for almost a decade, working 24-hour shifts. She hopes that the great work of the dispatchers under the umbrella of the Downieville Volunteer Fire Department will continue, as our location requires a great deal of coordination with multiple agencies and unique protocols in responding to a wide range of emergencies in our rural area. Fortunately, at this time, there are two individuals currently in training to be dispatchers to join the existing team of three. Loryce found dispatching interesting and rewarding and was extremely “glad” she served in this capacity. She enjoyed the team she worked with and had a reputation for encouraging those new to dispatch. Attending Downieville Volunteer Fire Department training, functions, events, and ceremonies, one immediately notices a special comradery in being a part of the DVFD. A soul can find purpose and fulfillment in joining our fire department or by filling the critical role of a dispatcher, as Loryce chose. Interviewing Loryce, I asked her about the biggest change in moving to the mountains from life in a city, and her response was, “Animals.” Witnessing a mountain lion take down a deer outside her window will not be forgotten. Multiple encounters with bears, one of which stuck its head in her kitchen window while she was frying chicken, is another. Despite not being a fan of navigating the challenges of ice in the winter months, Loryce found snowfall to be a glorious sight, and every season was a lovely one to her while living in Sierra County. When asked about her favorite events in Downieville, I dare say she often missed certain events locals take for granted during those 24-hour shifts dispatching. For example, rarely was she able to attend Miss Jody’s Thanksgiving Dinner at the Community Hall while serving as a dispatcher. We forget it takes a great deal of volunteerism in our community to keep routine operations up and running. Hopefully, those who relocate here with a heart like Loryce’s and an eagerness to help will also be able to say they were “never made to feel like an outsider.” Though we were sad to learn of Loryce’s move back to San Jose, we are pleased to report she plans to visit as soon as she is able. We offer our sincere thanks to Loryce for all her years of service in a variety of ways. We will miss her beaming smile, cheerful heart, and her investment in our community.
Ashby was awarded a Resolution of Appreciation by Frank LangDOWNIEVILLE — Nearly two weeks have passed since Downieville bid farewell to community servant Loryce Ashby. Indeed, returning to San Jose to spend time with her daughter was a quiet exit from the mountains, as many locals were only made aware of her departure through whispers in the wind. While Loryce was rightfully honored for her years of dedication and service in a ceremony by the Downieville Volunteer Fire Department, it seemed incumbent upon The Messenger to highlight her impactful time in our mountains. Deviating from the standard newspaper practice of further referencing an introduced party by one’s “last” name, I will exercise editorial liberty in continuing this tribute in a personalized fashion, fitting for Loryce’s beautiful soul as she sacrificed much of her personal time for the well-being of so many.