Eleanor Davis

Ellie was the cherished daughter of Hyman and Ruth Smith (both deceased) and the widow of Robert (Bob) Alan Davis, who passed away in April 2022, just shy of their 50th wedding anniversary. She was the mother of Joanne Davis of University Heights and Michelle (Efi) Golan of Solon; grandmother to Shai and Izzy Golan and Sophie Davis-Yarvis. Ellie was also predeceased by her brother Howard (Betty) Smith and her adoring maternal aunt and uncle, Ida and Isadore (Izzy) Vernick, who helped raise Ellie and Howard after their mother passed away in 1959. Ellie is also remembered lovingly by her brother and sisters-in-law, Eddie (Chana) Davis and Doreen Davis. A native Clevelander, she spent her first several years in the Kinsman neighborhood (unknowingly just a couple of streets away from her besheret), before moving to South Euclid. She was a 1965 graduate of Brush High School.

Ellie was also the loving aunt to Rene (Rich) Rusgo, Steven (Michelle) Smith, Rob (Kim) Smith, Eric (Teresa) Davis, Robyn (Bob) Washburn, Stephen (Alzbeta) Davis, Jacquelyn Davis, Michael (Lauren) Davis, and their families. Ellie will also be missed by her Axelrod, Steiger, and Goldner family members throughout the U.S. and Israel as well as the extended Davis crew and her longtime friends.

Ellie was an orthodontic lab technician for over thirty years, ensuring her daughters had the coolest and most colorful retainers – drawing on her love for art and early hopes to go into interior design. Before returning to work in the mid ‘80s, she took various art classes and loved working on projects with her girls.

She claimed she could barely boil water when she and Bob first got married in 1972, but she learned quickly and became the family sponge cake & Pesadik chocolate chip cookie expert in addition to the many other favorites loved by her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and her daughters’ friends. Ellie made sure that everyone felt welcome in her home, and treated everyone like family.

It was very rare for music to not be on in the house or the car – her mother shared her love of music and musicals with Ellie, and she kept the tradition going with her own family.

Ellie often crocheted – new babies in the family always received an Ellie Davis original when born, and her afghans are a tangible reminder of her love and warmth. As a young mother, Ellie was also part of a women’s bowling league and had a weekly mahj game with her closest friends (which later turned into joint family concertgoing and trips).

Friends and family knew that Ellie loved making chocolate for everyone (starting with finding fun chocolate molds) and her chocolate covered popcorn was always included in holiday gifts to Bob’s clients.

Naturally incredibly shy, Ellie put it to the side to raise money for the American Heart Association in memory of her mother, and later to support her Bob. Ellie learned that she had a plethora of platelets, and for years donated platelets monthly in addition to blood donations.

Her love for animals was apparent – whether staying up all night with the concussed family parakeet, saving wild baby birds & trying to nurse them to health or loving and snuggling with her dogs and granddogs.

The funeral will be held Sunday, August 10th at 1:30pm at Berkowitz-Kumin Bookatz Memorial Chapel with burial following at Chesterland Memorial Park. Following burial, shiva will be observed at the home of Michelle & Efi Golan at 32517 Springside Lane in Solon until 6pm. Shiva will then be held Monday from 6-8:30pm, Tuesday 2-4pm and 6-8:30pm at the Golans and at the home of Joanne Davis Wednesday and Thursday from 6-8:30pm at 2328 Saybrook Rd. in University Heights.

Family and Friends who are unable to attend the Service may view it my clicking on the link below.

https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c25086404014591

Donations in Ellie’s memory can be made to the American Heart Association and American Friends of Magen David Adom.