Katherine Marie Davis

On April 16, the world lost the walking presence of gentle kindness in Katie Davis. Wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, neighbor, community member, patient, and friend to countless, her warmth rippled through the hearts of those who knew her. A sweet soul beneath a gorgeous mane of blonde hair, she treated everyone with value, attention, curiosity, and compassionate care.

Born fourth out of five eventual children of Jane and Ralph Johnston of Arcadia, CA, Katie entered the world in the middle of the Johnston party. The quiet presence in a house of boisterous family chaos, she loved to share stories of the 220 house: sibling and cousin trickery, pets brought home, the introduction to the life-changing friendship of Gail Price. She treasured her family: Johnstons, Claypools, and Barrows. Time spent with family was the most important: trips to the dump with her father, to the general store owned by her maternal grandparents, or alone as a curious seven-year old paddling around a rented canoe in Lake Tahoe (being the fourth child allowed for independence not known to the first).

Attending Arcadia High School in the early 70’s, she formed bonds with lifelong friends, and discovered her interest in natural sciences, leading her to pursue marine biology at Cal Poly. During these college years, she continued to explore: studying in England, working summers at the outdoors Buccaneer Camp in southern California, and working at Colonial Pharmacy in Arcadia, CA, meeting future husband and companion in life, Jerry Davis.

Jerry and Katie were married in December 1979, with two witnesses in tow, renewing their vows and commitment to each other several times through their 44 years together. Shortly after the birth of their first daughter in 1981, they moved to the Los Osos house she rented during her college years. The house became their home, welcoming a second daughter in 1984, increasing the square footage of their little bungalow, proudly beautifying the sandy yard into an intricate haven of colorful native plants.

As a third-generation teacher, she was born to teach, but especially kindergarten starting in 1996. At Templeton Elementary School, she was the one who knew how to use the kiln, made memory books by the seemingly thousands, and marched with the best of them in the Halloween parade dressed up as Little Miss Muffet to her kindergarten spiders. She was part of the kindergarten team beyond her retirement in 2012, when she transitioned to caretaker of her first of two grandchildren.

Between tending to them, her garden, and her friendships, she welcomed new sights and experiences of adventure with sparkling, wide eyes and smile. Alaskan icebergs, Irish pubs, British gardens, Italian bistros, tea at the Grand Empress Hotel, all with old and new companions alike.

After being diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, a bone marrow transplant put the cancer in remission, but Grafts Versus Host Disease (GVHD) wrecked it’s havoc on her body. No one fully knew the extent of her graceful tenacity, as she took every challenge and embraced every explored solution with full commitment, hope, and compliance. A woman of immeasurable grace, determination, and thoughtfulness, she resumed her life as normally as possible, enjoying the company of her friends and family, in between 3.5 years of regimented doctor visits. Between each visit to City of Hope was her restlessness to return to her home and garden.

It was from her warm home, garden at her feet, that she passed early in the morning of April 16, 2024. Among those who will miss her most are her family: husband, Jerry, daughters Cece Mayer (Hans) and Julia Davis, son and daughter Michael (Sandra) and Jenny Hovsepian (Joe), and Grammy to Henry and Paige Mayer. In her death she joins her parents, but her siblings, Libby Quackenbush, Craig Johnston (Jaqueline), Barbie Freeman (Dennis), and Annie Beegan (Chris) already miss their sister. She leaves behind extended families of cousins, nieces, nephews, kindred spirits from all walks of her life, and classes of students.

We will miss her ability to convey her love through cooking, especially holiday fudge, and how she consistently sent birthday cards (any cards, really). Gifts were often handmade with such care, precision and perfection; her artistic ability was truly unmatched. We will miss her long conversations on the phone, especially those which had no such initial intention. She cared sincerely and deeply about her relationships: her thoughtfulness knew no bounds.

There are many to thank. The Davis family is so grateful to City of Hope, for the professional, personal, and sincere care they extended to all of us in the last four years, especially Dr. Al Malki and Rachel Davidians. Thank you to David Wood and the nurturing caretakers through San Luis Obispo Caregivers who made Katie's return home possible and comforting. Thank you to Wilshire hospice, for their humanity in the end-of-life process. And thank you to all who brought meals, held her hands, rubbed her legs, and held us as we said goodbye. All these people made an impactful difference.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, May 18 at 11 am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic church in Los Osos, with reception to follow.

Missing Katie will undoubtedly increase as time marches on, but she lives on in those whose lives she touched, making her very present among us. To continue Katie’s memory, donations are encouraged to be made to City of Hope, or at www.help4refugees.org, an organization started by a kindergartener graduate. In Katie’s memory, remember how much it means to send a birthday card, to pick up the phone, to listen with full attention and heart.