Frances Marie Davidson

Frances (Fran) Marie Lobus O’Dell Davidson, age 99, of Ivoryton, CT took hold of the hand of God and let go of the hand of her family on Sunday February 9th after a long fruitful life. Frances was born July 16, 1925 to Frank A. and Theresa (Kleehammer) Lobus in Ossining, NY. While roller skating at a rink in Ossining, Frances met Augustav Walter (Walt) O’Dell in 1941 and married him two years later, before he went off to war. After his return they purchased land and built their first home, a 2 room shack in the woods of Pine Rock Park Shelton, CT. With three children (Jill, Joan and Jerry) now, Walter was offered a caretaker job in Essex, CT where they moved to and lived until the late 50’s. They then purchased their own home in Ivoryton, where they raised their six children.

Fran was a pioneer in both family and business. She founded Middlesex Mailing and Stenography Service and later worked for ICED, forming friendships across cultures. In 1976, Walter was diagnosed with ALS and went to be with God in 1981. After a period of mourning, Fran moved forward; running for 1st Selectman and narrowly losing, making her 2nd Selectman. She served in this office for 6 years. Fran started taking dance lessons where she met and eventually married her second husband, George Davidson in 1992. With George, Fran enjoyed dancing in dance competitions, playing tennis, and dinners and dances at the Westbrook Elks. George passed away in 2001, but Fran continued on with the Elks becoming President of the Emblem Club and then taking the Office Secretary job where she worked until she suffered a stroke at the age of 87. By this time she had moved back into the home in Ivoryton where she and Walt had raised all their children, now owned by her youngest daughter Terri and her husband Drew.

Throughout her life, Fran was an amazing woman who balanced work, music, politics, and community service with being a devoted mother of six (two of them twins). Fran loved singing. She took lessons and sang for her church OLOS, sang for Capella Cantorum and can be remembered for singing the National Anthem at every Memorial Day Parade. Politics and community contributions were a big part of her life as well, serving as Registrar of Voters and as a Justice of the Peace.

She always multitasked and found time to give each of her children their special time and wisdom on life and a perspective for their future. She taught her family how to live well by example. Going from a pioneer woman with 2 children and one on the way in a primitive 2 room shack with no running water, electricity or phone, to a woman who runs her own business while raising six children and always picked herself up and moved on to live her best when life was disrupted by loss.

Fran is survived by 5 of her children; Jill Gladding, Joan Roche (Peter), David O’Dell (Darlene), Gary O’Dell (Gina), Terri Finkeldey (Drew); 20 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. She is pre-deceased by her husbands; Walter O’Dell, George Davidson, a son; Gerald O’Dell (Dawn), grandchildren; Nicole, and Jonathan, and great- grandson; Kieran.

“Many things happened in my life that had to be dealt with, but there was always a feeling that one can’t control those things that happen, but you can control how you deal with whatever comes your way. To me, all the events in my life have strengthened me and even old age with its limitations can be faced with confidence and determination.” Frances O’Dell Davidson

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025 from 9:00AM-10:30AM at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street in Centerbrook. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00AM at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 14 Prospect Street in Essex. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Fran’s name to the Lower Valley Visiting Nurses, 1 Main Street, Suite 5, Centerbrook, CT 06409 or to Middlesex Hospice, 28 Crescent Street, Middletown, CT 06457. To share a memory of Fran or send a condolence to her family please visit www.rwwfh.com.