Mary Mildred Davidson
June 28, 1943 -
October 24, 2015
Mary Mildred Davidson, age 72, of Kenosha passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 24, 2015 surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Kenosha on June 28, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Willis Henry and Mildred Minnie Schulte.
Mary was educated at St. James Catholic Elementary School. A member of the first four year graduating class of St. Joseph High School in 1961, which her father helped found. Mary then graduated from Dominican College, Racine, after a brief stint at St. Mary’s College of Notre Dame.
During Mary’s summers in high school and college, she worked at the Kenosha News for her father. At the Kenosha News switchboard she rekindled a friendship that began in sixth grade with Jeffrey McClay Davidson, whom she met in 5th grade at Mrs. Dialy’s Dance School.
On November 20, 1965, Mary and Jeff were married in a grand purple celebration.
Mary then taught high school Spanish at Burlington High School before becoming a mother and homemaker. She was also an active fundraiser and supporter of the Kenosha Jr.Woman’s Club, Girl Scouts, St. Mark’s Home & School, St. Joseph’s Home & School, Mobile Meals, Goodfellows and St. Catherine’s Hospital. She was also a proud member of the D.C. Darlings.
Once her children were in school, Mary helped Gene LaMacchia at his travel agency. Then Mary became the owner and operator of Kenosha Travel and the Cruise Shoppe which provided many years of great travel memories for her family and their friends. After retirement, Mary taught at St. Joseph High School, was a substitute teacher in Kenosha Unified Schools and then a bailiff at the Kenosha County Courthouse.
Mary enjoyed visiting with friends and family on her purple front porch and sunsets in St. Pete Beach, Florida. She loved a parade and everything Notre Dame.
Mary was the loving and proud mother of Jennifer Mary (Stephen) Maier, Melanie McClay Davidson and Jeffrey Edward (Amy) Davidson and the devoted and doting grandmother of Megan Elizabeth, Abigail Kathleen and Maxwell Davidson Maier; and Jack Edward, Brady McClay and Patrick Henry Davidson. She made sure to attend every activity of her children and grandchildren, enjoying every moment.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister and her brother.
Jeff, Melanie, Jennie and Steve, Jed and Amy, would like to thank their wonderful friends and families for the love and support of Mary and our family. Mary’s family would also like to thank Dr. Matthew McCarthy, Dr. Giuseppe Garretto, Dr. Raymond Knight and their excellent staff plus all the caring staff at Kenosha Memorial Hospital.
Service Info
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2015. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church1300 73rd Street. Relatives and friends are invited to meet at the church for Mass. Interment will follow in St. George Cemetery.
Posted by:
John & Debbie FrostMy favorite memories of Mary relate to seeing you all at Christmas time. My day was much brighter when you would all venture to our Christmas Tree Lot and bring the true spirit of the season right along with all of you. The photo posted here is just a simple example of that spirit - you can just see the wonderful loving person that was Mary! She spread warmth, compassion and love where ever she went and we will always be grateful for having all of you in our lives. God bless the entire Davidson family. I have 100% confidence that Mary is in a much better place and looking down on all of us with the same welcoming smile that we will experience again in the future. Our deepest condolences! We have all lost one of the best people ever.
Posted by:
Mary AndersenI was a classmate of Mary's at Dominican College, graduating in '67. What a loss. She was a delightful, humorous, compassionate, and loving person and will be missed. Last saw her at our Reunion at Windhover (former Siena Hall) where I was the Head Resident my senior year. We all had lots of laughs and good comradeship. To her dear family, I hope you can support one another because she has left a void. Death experiences help us to reach out to others. Mary Andersen
Posted by:
Ed and Louise (Palermo) GuziewskiSo sorry to hear about Mary passing away. We had very fond memories of being with Mary at Dominican college. We remember her friendliness and sense of humor.
Posted by:
Vicki PasterskiMary Davidson was a wonderful, friendly and funny person. I met her through her father, Bill Schulte at the Kenosha News. His eyes would light up every time she came in with the kids. I loved talking to her when we would run into each other, she always made me smile. Jeff and her family were very lucky to have her in their lives.
Posted by:
Bill and Linda MarsOur deepest sympathy to all the family. We will always remember many years ago when Mary booked a trip for us on an unheard of airline named Midwest Express. She assured us that we would love it and we did. Mary always made everyone feel special with her warm and kind manner. So very sorry for you loss.
Posted by:
Tara DonovanDear Jeff and family, No words are adequate enough to express how sorry I am to hear of your loss! My heart aches for you and your family and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers! XOXOXO
Posted by:
Brad and Stephanie DunlapDear Jed, Amy, Melanie (Denise), Jeff, and all Davidson family, We are very sorry to hear of Mary's passing. She was a wonderful person with a warm smile, engaging personality and clearly a strong devotion to her family. It was always a pleasure to be around her, and we want to send you our love and support from Iowa. We'll have a sundae, remembering Mary's fantastic smile, and send our regards and sincere condolences to you all. Hope we can see each other soon, Jed. You have an open invite to IC for a Hawk game. Hugs to you all, The Dunlaps
Posted by:
Mrs. Raymond (Deborah) LarsenMy deepest sympathy to all of the family. Mary was such a vibrant person. I have nothing but good memories of our past experiences with children in school together and I had not heard about an illness, so I was very surprised when I opened the paper this a. m. Dear Jeff, the two of you were so close,I can honestly say, I know what you are going through, so my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Debbie
Posted by:
Diane and Tony UrlakisTo the wonderful loving and lovely family of Mary. How very sad this is for all. You were truly blessed with a beautiful, wife , mother and grandmother. She loved you all more than words can describe. And all who were lucky to know her were also given the grace of her joy, humor and devotion to Jeff who put twinkle in her eyes which she returned to his. God bless you all with shared memories to pass on to generations ahead. We love you all and wish we could remove your sadness. One of her DC Darlings and husband Di and Tony
