TRAVERSE CITY – Nancy J. Davis, age 92, of Traverse City, passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at Munson Medical Center in the loving care of her family.
Nancy Luther Davis was born July 31, 1927 in Saginaw to Charles and Dorothy Luther. She graduated from Saginaw Arthur Hill High School and went on to Alma College where she received her teaching degree. After graduation, Nancy moved to Florida for a job as the Home Economics teacher at Brooksville High School. Nancy was a well- loved teacher and was able to showcase her talents as an amazing cook, hostess and seamstress and pass those skills on to hundreds of students. She was also responsible for taking groups of high schoolers on trips to New York City, which held fond memories throughout her lifetime.
While at Brooksville High School, Nancy caught the eye of the PE teacher, Ed Davis. They were married in 1969 and moved to Dunedin, Florida when Ed joined the athletic department at St. Petersburg College and was Head Baseball Coach there for over 30 years. Ever the entertainer, Nancy loved to host family, friends, and Ed's baseball players at their beautiful home in Florida. There was always a plan A, Plan B and Plan C to ensure that every person had something they loved to do be it the beach, the pool, picnics, card games or trips to Disney World.
In 1982, Nancy, along with her parents and brother bought a family cottage at the south end of Torch Lake and while Florida entertaining continued, there was also great "Up North" fun to be had. Nancy and Ed loved to spend summers at the cottage and were especially happy when family members would come to visit on the weekends. Nancy would cook elaborate dinners for everyone, but her favorite time of day had to be what we affectionally called "Franny Time" which was anytime we were all together enjoying a cocktail at the end of a beautiful summer day.
Nancy recently moved into Bay Ridge Assisted Living in Traverse City so she could be closer to family in Michigan. Although only there a short time, Nancy made a big impact on the staff with her fun personality, colorful outfits and love for life.
Nancy's favorite things were shopping, weekends at Torch Lake, Florida Gator football games, playing hostess, a good Manhattan, and anytime she was with her family.
Nancy was predeceased by Ed in 2015 after 45 years of marriage. She is survived by her brother Gerald (Shireen) Luther, her two nieces who were like daughters to her Amy (Kevin) Nowlan, and Janet (BJ) Wolff; and a nephew, Mark Luther as well as numerous great nieces and nephews, cousins and close family friends. She will live on in the amazing memories she gave us over the years!
A funeral service for Nancy will take place at 3:00 pm on Monday, December 23, 2019 at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home with a visitation beginning at 2:00 pm. Nancy will be laid to rest next to her husband Edward at Helena Township Cemetery.