Stephanie Davis

This obituary is penned for posterity to Stephanie’s descendants so they might better know this incredible loving mother. She would have never revealed the information herein to others, as she would have deemed it boastful.

Stephanie Mary Davis was born to Helen Lichota and Peter Olejarz on October 19th 1929, in New Britain Connecticut. She passed away August 1, 2026. Both of Stephanie’s parents immigrated to the United States from Europe. She had no siblings, as both of her parents were older.

Stephanie was the most remarkable loving daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother anyone could desire. She walked with Christ her entire life. She was smart, innovative, giving and saw opportunities abound. She sought to support all endeavors pursued by friends or family.

Her father, Peter, owned a farm and later became a successful businessman. He was one of the early innovators of the supermarket. He had five units when he was severely beaten in the head by thieves during his routine walk to the bank night deposit. He was left for dead in a ditch, and suffered severe challenges the remainder of his life.

Prior to this, her father loaned money to many people in need during the Great Depression. Most of this money was never repaid. He allowed this and never pursued the loans. Stephanie took this cue and modeled her father, by giving anonymously to individuals. When she saw a need, she addressed the issue.

As a result of her father’s brain trauma, at a very young age, Stephanie began doing the books and records for his holdings. She was gifted with numbers and this formed the basis for other endeavors. Stephanie’s mother, Helen, liquidated the stores, except for a small market below 88 Tremont Street. She and her mother oversaw all aspects of the family finances, after her father’s injuries. She often stated her mother was the wisest, smartest woman she ever knew.

Stephanie grew up in West Hartford, Connecticut, with an ocean home at Point O’Woods, Connecticut. The ocean home was used to help treat Stephanie’s childhood asthma.

Stephanie had a first dog named Brownie (too many others dogs to count after that), and a horse. This was the start of her lifelong love of animals. She always had pets and these pets brought her true joy. Typically she found dogs that needed help, and she rescued them.

She graduated from high school at age 13. She went to university in New Haven Connecticut. She attended Larson College, a women’s college, now Quinnipiac University. In order to complete her major, she took classes at Yale and received a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. Stephanie became a Laboratory Technologist, ASCP. In a different age, she would have been a doctor.

While in New Britain, Stephanie met the love of her life, Michael D. Davis, M.D., at church. The meeting took place in the rectory, and was anything but random. Her uncle, pastor of Holy Cross Church, Father Stephen Bartkowski, had arranged the meeting.

Once her children were in college, Stephanie became chief of laboratory services at a hospital. Stephanie founded Doctors’ Diagnostic Laboratories Corp, which was acquired by SmithKline Beecham, now GlaxoSmithKline.

Stephanie loved beauty. Her mother was a skilled seamstress/designer. Her mother remarked one Sunday that 27 dresses she designed were in the pews. As a result, Stephanie loved to sew, and frequently refashioned beautiful items that needed a refresh. She also loved interior design, and classical music. By force of nature, she and her husband made certain all three of their sons played the piano in addition to another instrument playable in a symphony orchestra.

While Stephanie’s husband taught at Yale Medical School, Stephanie developed a passion for healthy cooking, and the proper use of supplements. She also began successfully managing the family’s stocks and bonds. She was always a value investor, even before this became a popular term. During the late 1970s when interest rates peaked, she deftly succeeded buying and selling bonds. She also succeeded buying stocks of companies she understood and enjoyed. Being a child of the Depression, she developed and maintained a penchant for value investing. This value carried over into all areas of her life.

The hallmark of Stephanie‘s life was one of humility, family and service to others. She was always willing to serve others, no matter the detriment or imposition on herself. She sought to help her family and others, no matter the cost.

She passed away with family at her bedside.

Stephanie is preceded in death by her husband Michael D. Davis, M.D., her son, Keith L. Davis, M.D. and her granddaughter Mary Katherine Davis.

Stephanie is survived by her sons, Martin D. Davis (Kathy), Stephen M. Davis, M.D. (Sally), Keith’s widow, Lori Davis, grandsons, Martin D. Davis, Jr., Henry M. Davis, Stephen M. Davis, Jr.(Melissa Cooper, PhD), Michael P. Davis, J. McNeill Davis, granddaughter Caroline Davis Dowd (Matt), great-grandson Theo Dowd.

Funeral 10:00am Visitation 9:00am

Cathedral of the Incarnation, 2015 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN. 10am Thursday August 6th, 2026