Davina Parmet

Davina was born in Brooklyn, New York, the only child of Solomon Parmet, a teacher, and Antoinette Parmet, a social worker. Davina spent her formative years in New York City, but she fell in love with Cape Cod from an early age. Davina spent summers at her family’s beloved cottage overlooking the water in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, where she found peace and happiness throughout her life.

Preternaturally gifted, Davina graduated at 16 from Stuyvesant High School in New York, before earning her bachelor’s degree at Brown University. At Brown, Davina met the love of her life: her husband Paul Reagan. Following her graduation, Davina worked first in public television, and later as a highly sought-after freelance writer. In 1992 she published her book “The World of Ballet”. Later in her career, Davina devoted herself to serving others in need. She earned a Master’s degree in Social Work from William and Mary, and served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), advocating for children victimized by abuse and neglect. In recognition of her tireless work, she was named CASA Volunteer of the Year in 2005.

Davina was deeply compassionate, immensely generous, unfailingly kind, and unwaveringly loyal to her family and friends. With her keen intellect, snarky humor, and infectious laugh, Davina was a trusted friend and confidant to so many; wherever she went, community followed. As a child, her beloved cousins became de facto sisters, and her neighbors and playmates on Cape Cod grew into lifelong friends. Later, as a young professional and new mom in New York, Davina gathered a vibrant band of companions who remained among her dearest friends for life. In Williamsburg, over 30 years, Davina gathered a set of kind and generous neighbors who cherished her humor and hospitality; once again, a community formed around Davina. Even as she battled through a seemingly endless string of surgeries and chemotherapy treatments over the last decade, Davina was always there for her friends—always ready to lend an ear and a shoulder – plus a cup of tea, a scone, or her famous homemade caramels.

Davina’s greatest joy was her family. She was a devoted mother and wife, a fiercely loyal advocate for her family, and a constant source of care packages, baked goods, and daily reminders, both large and small, of her deep love. Davina is survived by her husband of 35 years, Paul Reagan; her daughter Lianna Parmet Reagan, and Lianna’s husband Sundeep Iyer; and her daughter Sasha Parmet Reagan, and Sasha’s partner Will Tarnell. Davina is also survived by her granddaughter Priya Reagan Iyer, who was born one month before Davina’s passing, and who Davina was able to love and hold in her arms.

A viewing will be held at Nelsen Funeral Home in Williamsburg, Virginia https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/williamsburg-va/nelsen-williamsburg/5088 on Saturday, April 3 from 1 pm to 5 pm. Because this is a viewing only, with no service, visitors may come and go at any time. Visitors who do not wish to view the body may visit with the family in a separate room. The family will also hold two memorials at a later (covid safe) date to be determined—one in Williamsburg likely in the middle of May, and a second celebration of Davina’s life in Wellfleet, Massachusetts in June. Memorial donations in Davina’s name may be made to Fair Fight (https://fairfight.com/), the Cape Wellness Collaborative (https://www.capewellness.org/), and the True and Faithful Pet Rescue Mission (https://www.trueandfaithfulpetrescuemission.org/).