Nancy Davis Irons

Nancy Davis Irons, 86, a 50-year resident of Port Charlotte, FL, passed away on Saturday, April 1 surrounded by her family. Born November 24, 1930 in Manchester, VT, Nancy was the beloved daughter of Cecil Chapman "Toolie" Davis and Hazel Dell (Gaskell) Davis. She graduated from Burr and Burton Academy in 1948 where she was a member of the ski team and ski patrol at Bromley Mountain. In 1950, she received her Associate of Arts degree from Green Mountain College in Poultney, VT.

On June 11, 1950, Nancy married her high school sweetheart, Howard Smith Irons of Bennington, VT, a graduate of Dartmouth College who later earned his M.D. degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine and became an officer in the U.S. Navy. A proud and deeply patriotic Navy wife, Nancy was a devoted mother to her five children and a menagerie of pets through the deployments and relocations typical of military families. Following her husband's military service, the family settled in Port Charlotte in 1967 where Howard established a private medical practice. As their children grew older, Nancy became actively involved in the Perkins Pancake House franchise owned by the couple, greeting guests, overseeing front of house operations and keeping the books. She was also a member of the local Medical Wives Club.

Later in life, Nancy served as office manager for Tri-Sun Builders and enjoyed participating in the many civic endeavors of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. Last year, Nancy moved to the Gardens of North Port, an assisted living center where she made many new friends and came to love her caregivers, for whom her family is deeply grateful.

Nancy was a voracious reader, an excellent cook, an animal lover and an avid collector with an affinity for butterflies. She will be remembered most for her exceptional storytelling, her quick wit, her warm smile and her unconditional love for her family.

Nancy is survived by her adoring children and their spouses: Andrea Irons (Michael) Gordon of Ashburn, VA, Kimberly Irons (John) Fulton of Port Charlotte, FL, Jonathon Scott Irons of Newberry, FL, Mark Davis (Denay Edwards) Irons of Austin, TX and Leslie Irons (Ralph) Bustamante of Merritt Island, FL, along with 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Her brother, Karl Davis, and sister, Betty Davis Sawyer, her former husband Howard, and her granddaughter, Kelsey Irons, preceded her in death.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 9 at Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home, 2405 Harbor Blvd., Port Charlotte. Nancy will be laid to rest in Factory Point Cemetery in her hometown of Manchester Center, VT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County in Port Charlotte, FL.