Mary Frances Davis
Mary Frances Davis of Milton, Delaware and Southampton died on September 25. She was 92.
Born November 25, 1917, in Brooklyn, she was the daughter of Mary Agnes (née Quealy) and Jeremiah J. McMahon, a sergeant in the New York Police Department. She graduated from Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn.
On January 2, 1943, she married U.S. Army Sergeant Joseph E. Davis, who was later commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Signal Corps and served during World War II in North Africa and Italy, including the Anzio beachhead. After the war, they lived briefly in Little Falls, New Jersey, and then moved to Long Island, where Mr. Davis worked in banking and finance. The couple also lived in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, for several years while her husband worked as a managing director for the Caribbean Credit Corporation.
Ms. Davis was a homemaker for her family. During the 1960s, she taught fifth grade at Our Holy Redeemer School in Freeport. She also volunteered with the Cub Scouts when her children were in elementary school. A dedicated and practicing Catholic throughout her life, Ms. Davis was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America for many years.
She loved to read until macular degeneration robbed her of much of her vision. Then she turned to books on tape, enjoying mysteries and other genres. She also liked to follow current events, American politics and international affairs.
According to family, Ms. Davis had a keen interest in people, always finding something in others that made them special. Family said she was a great listener, but also enjoyed talking of family history—especially the Irish roots of the Quealy and McMahon families in County Clare and the early days of the Quealys in Brooklyn in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
She is survived by two daughters, Dr. Susan Corwith and her husband Charlie of Southampton, and Maryellen Davis of Delaware; a son, Jeremiah Davis and his wife Dorothy of Delaware; five granddaughters, Sara Marchese of New Paltz, Heather Johnson of Maryland, Shannon Loretto of Delaware and Mae Lippincott and Jessica Potts, both of California; and two grandsons, Nick Marchese of Southampton and Joseph Davis of Maryland; and five great-grandchildren. Her husband predeceased her in 2005.
The family will receive visitors on September 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., at the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton. A funeral mass will be held on October 1, at 10 a.m., at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church in Southampton. Interment will follow at Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton.
In lieu of flowers, donations to East End Hospice, PO Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 or to Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church, 168 Hill Street, Southampton, NY 11968 c/o Fr. Jeffrey Madley would be appreciated by the family.
on Sep 29, 2010