Anne Davidson

Anne Grassl Davidson: The Fruit of the SpiritDecember 17, 1919 - February 11, 2015Anne Grassl Davidson passed away peacefully on February 11, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center in Redding, surrounded by family members. She was 95 years old.Anne was born in Portland, Oregon, on December 17, 1919. She was the oldest of three children and spent most of her childhood in Inglewood, California, where she lived with her parents, Charles and Clara; brother, Charles Jr.; sister, Maryellen; and paternal grandfather. Other family members lived with the Grassls during the heart of the Great Depression. The family had farm animals and a large vegetable garden to help put food on the table during those difficult years.A top student at Inglewood High School, Anne went on to study at UCLA where she obtained a Liberal Arts degree with concentrations in Education, English, and History. She was a member of a Christian sorority at UCLA and served as the house chaplain. During one of her summer breaks from UCLA, Anne worked at Mt. Lassen where she met her future husband, Donald Davidson. Anne and Don spent several summers working together at Mt. Lassen National Park where they went on regular hikes up the mountain and throughout the park. They were married on February 21, 1943, and shortly after the wedding, Don was shipped off to serve with the Navy in the Pacific Front during WWII.Anne was employed by the Los Angeles City School District for several years, teaching at the elementary school level. Anne and Don began a family shortly after Don completed his service in WWII. After her first child was born, Anne devoted herself to raising her children and caring for her husband and home. The family lived primarily in Gardena, California, where Don had a family law practice. Anne was a great help and asset to her husband, Don, who had a successful law career and who also served as mayor of Gardena for two terms. Anne was also active in community affairs, including the fundraising campaign to help build the Gardena YMCA, for which she raised the greatest amount of money. Anne was also involved in the PTA for many years and served as PTA president. Anne and Don were also active in Alondra Park Methodist Church and the Gardena Valley Lions Club.In the 1970s, Anne moved with her family to Rolling Hills Estates, where she enjoyed entertaining regularly and tending her beloved backyard garden. She devoted a significant amount of time during this period looking after her mother-in-law Karola, who lived with the family for quite a few years after suffering a debilitating stroke. Anne also served as president of Las Vecinas, a Palos Verdes women's service organization benefitting local charities.In 1990, Anne and Don moved to Redding, California, where they enjoyed many years of retirement together playing golf at the Riverview Country Club golf course, going out dancing, and spending time with son Steve and his family, including grandchildren Annie and Casey. Don predeceased Anne in 2010, and Anne spent nearly another five years in her Redding home, where she enjoyed spending time with family, reading, tending her flower and vegetable gardens, and other hobbies. Anne was a great partner to her husband Don and a wonderful, loving mother to her four children, who all loved her deeply. To know Anne was to love her. She will be remembered by all for her gracious personality, loving nature, kindness, beautiful smile, patience, acts of hospitality, and works of service and charity. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23Anne is survived by daughter Shirley Schessler and son-in-law Ed; son Herb Davidson and daughter-in-law Beverly; son Steve Davidson and daughter-in-law Jane; daughter Mary Goss and son-in-law Don; sister Maryellen Rutter; seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 23rd at McDonald's Chapel, 1275 Continental Street, Redding, CA. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Red Cross of NE of California 2125 E. Onstott Rd., Yuba City, CA 95991