Dora Lynn Davison

Dora Lynn Davison was born October 18, 1955, the first child of Thelma Rector and Earl Edward Davison. Named after her maternal grandmother, she came from a long line of strong women from a fascinating family tree. Dora was known for her keen intellect that no doubt started with her love of reading. As a child, a favorite way of passing the long summer days was picking out books from the Bookmobile that stopped in the neighborhood every week. Being tall for her age, Dora delighted in getting away with choosing from the top shelves, which were reserved for adult readers. Later in life this love of reading took on a social aspect with a group of like-minded friends who gathered periodically, to eat, chat, and map out the next books they would read.

Dora graduated salutatorian of Goshen High School Class of 1974. She enjoyed music, playing the flute, bassoon and piano. She was also in the marching band that performed half time shows at football games. She was a member of the Girls Athletic Association and served terms as both president and secretary. In her Junior and Senior years she joined The Drama Club and won a part in the class play. She was also inducted into the National Honor Society in her junior year. Outside of school she was a member of Job's Daughters, a Masonic organization for young women, and served as Honored Queen.

After High School, Dora continued her education at Eastern Kentucky University, earning her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. She worked as a Registered Nurse for many years, before expanding her career as a professor at Southern State College and sometime later achieving her Master's Degree in Nursing from University of Phoenix. Her students were considered to be among the best of the best, because Dora made certain that they really understood the material, putting in extra time to help her students whenever necessary.

Though Dora's family tree is filled with royalty, presidents, explorers, and even a saint or two, it was always the Feminist ancestors who peaked her interest the most, the suffragettes, the ordinary women who found ways to support large families on their own, or the social activists like her 28th great grandmother, Godgifu of Coventry, better known as Lady Godiva. Following in the steps of her ancestors, Dora also became interested in working for reform. While teaching at Southern State College, she became a formidable contract negotiator for her union to earn better working conditions and compensation for the staff.

After she retired, Dora enjoyed spending time in her large sunny farm house, reading, journaling, cooking, working on crafts, and spending time with friends who would often gather for a night of entertainment. Like her Appalachian and Irish ancestors, Dora knew how to craft a good story. With a sparkle in her eyes, she could create a spell in the room that more often than not ended in peels of raucous laughter. Unfortunately Dora's health did not cooperate and her retirement fun was cut short.

During the last few years Dora's health declined to the point where she could no longer live at home and she spent the Pandemic quarantined in a nursing home without visitors. While there she caught Covid 19, but was remarkably able to recover. Even though she was allowed no outside visitors, she made the best of her time there. She spoke with family and friends daily by telephone. She often worked crossword puzzles with her sister over the phone, delighting in her ability to work the puzzles without being able to see the board. Her sister's cats would compete to nuzzle the phone when they heard Dora's voice. She responded in kind, telling them what good cats they were. During the time of Pandemic Shutdown, she also spent time getting to know her caregivers a little better.

Just before her death, Dora was in the middle of a genial and animated conversation with the staff. They were bathing her and changing her sheets. When they rolled her over on her side, Dora stopped talking, and then she was gone. With grim humor, she had often spoken of what she wanted when she became too ill to enjoy life. She wanted to go quickly without the interference of doctors or resuscitation. She got her wish. She passed away suddenly and peacefully in the presence of people who cared for her.

She leaves behind her mother, Thelma Rector Davison of Goshen, Ohio; her sister Earlene Giglierano (Jim) of Madison, Wisconsin; brother Michael Davison (Rita) of Cincinnati, Ohio; and cherished nephew, Nathan Giglierano (Gillian) of Madison, Wisconsin. Her father, Earl Davison passed in 2010.

As per Dora's wishes, she will be cremated and buried without a funeral service. Many people have inquired if she had a particular charity in mind for memorial donations. She did not mention anything specific. Dora often gave contributions to help individuals who were going through hard times. She did this without using large agencies. It was always very personal. If you want to make a donation in her honor, perhaps there is someone you know who could use a little help.