"We were so sorry to hear of Kathy\'s death. She was such an energetic and enthusiastic person! Always welcoming and upbeat whenever our paths crossed. You must have so many memories of all your adventures together. Beth and Larry "
In loving memory of
KATHLEEN L. "KATHY" DAVIS
October 2, 1945 - November 26, 2020
Kathleen L. "Kathy" Davis, 75, of Marquette, passed away on Thursday, November 26, 2020 at her home.
Kathy was born on October 2, 1945 in Omer, MI, the first-born child of the late Fred "Fritz" and Sarah Lois Lockhart. She was raised in Oscoda, MI and was valedictorian of her class of 1963. Kathy received her bachelor's degree and master's degree from Michigan State University in 1967 and 1971.
Kathy was an ardent Biology major who became a high school Biology teacher at Flint Central High School in 1967.
Kathy married William G. Davis in Oscoda in 1968 and taught Biology in Wyandotte, MI for 24 years. During her career teaching Biology and Environmental Science, she became an award-winning high school bowl coach competing regionally and nationally. Kathy sponsored overnight canoe trips on the Au Sable River for her students and initiated annual trips to the Toronto Canada Science Center and the Royal Ontario Museum. She also took students on many field trips to Isle Royal. Several of her students became biologists, teachers and lifelong friends.
Kathy was a proud environmental activist and feminist and was president of the Trenton, MI Democratic Club. She always sought equity for women and girls and believed in wildlife preservation of rare and endangered plants and animals.
Kathy retired to Marquette in 1997 and became active on the board for Planned Parenthood of Northern Michigan, AAUW where she was a fundraiser for the STEM Program, and the Marquette County Democratic Party where she was on the executive board for 23 years. She was also a member of the Laughing Whitefish Audubon in Marquette and the Sierra Club.
Kathy was very active in protecting the endangered piping plovers in Grand Marais, MI, where she and Bill have a summer home. Many Marquette birders and NMU students were recruited as volunteer or paid piping plover monitors.
Kathy was also progressive as a Nature Conservancy of Michigan Donor, where they used her and Bill's Lake Superior Frontage in Grand Marais to hold conservation easements. Throughout her life, she was a naturalist who specialized in bog flora and Michigan wildflowers.
Kathy was an enthusiastic hiker and belonged to the North Country Trail Hikers where she spent a decade working on the North Country Trail in Alger County. She belonged to the Woodsies, a group of ten women who hike, bike, ski and kayak in the Central U.P. and who also held an annual blueberry camp. Kathy hiked in Chile and Argentina with Sierra Club outings. In March of 2020 she hiked on South Georgia Island as the oldest participant in the 6K "Shackleton Hike" across the mountains near Antarctica.
Kathy is survived by her husband, William G. Davis of Marquette; brother, Gerald B. (Sue) Lockhart of Saginaw, MI; nieces, Laura (Jason) Lockhart of Livonia, MI and Elizabeth (Bryan) Lockhart of Bradenton, FL; as well as her beloved golden retriever, Louise.
At Kathy's request, cremation will take place and memorial services will be held in Marquette and Grand Marais in the summer of 2021.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Kathy's name to Planned Parenthood of Michigan, AAUW STEM Project or UPAWs.
Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting Kathy's family where memories and condolences may be shared at canalefuneral.com
Tributes
"I will always remember Kathy for her curious mind, her tireless activism,her passion for the natural world and her vision for a better world. Her spirit lives on. -Kim Amthor"
"I was fortunate to meet Kathy thru a mutual friend in 2001 when we headed out of Marquette on the March for Women?s Lives bus headed to D.C.... Kathy & Bill then shared a lunch with us at their GM cottage & we listened with great interest as Kathy talked of their Plover protection & conservation. Our paths crossed every so often over the years. A life well lived on so many fronts. A such a kind & caring heart. Our thoughts & love are with you Bill....."
"I was a very fortunate student of Kathy\'s in Wyandotte. Her love of science was infectious. Thanks to her, I continued in science after high school and was eventually awarded a PhD in Human Genetics. I was proud to have her as a guest at my dissertation defense. We kept in touch over the years, and I will miss her annual holiday letter. She was an incredible woman."
"Having taught with Kathy for many years her passing has really hit. Kathy was a tremendous person and teacher. She had passion for all that she did. I recall that one day I saw a bat up at the underside of the roof of RHS. It was maybe ten ffet up. Kathy came past and I pointed it out. She had me keep an eye on it while she obtained a net. We caught the little bugger. It then became a lesson in her biology class. Passion! Bill, I am sorry to hear of Kathy\"s passing. But I am sure that you have some tremendous memories. Be well."
"I was saddened to learn of Kathy\'s passing. I met her through our Kiwanis Club\'s sponsorship of the STEM Program at NMU, and it was refreshing to see her passion for the concern. She continued to advocate for the program and I always enjoyed meeting with her. Kathy was a fine example of giving of one\'s time, talents and treasures. My condolences to the Davis family and her friends."
"Kathy was a lifelong friend who introduced us to the arts. She and Bill took us on many adventures , with many pleasant memories. When one traveled with Kathy she was like your own personal tour guide. One special trip was to New York City and we tramped for miles, visited every sight worth seeing, attended the ballet, visited several art museums, two plays on Broadway and more.. Travel with Kathy and Bill was always at an enthusiastic pace and nothing was missed. You returned home tired but filled with awe from the adventure. We will remember Kathy as someone who was true to herself and never wavered in her endeavors. Bill and Alice Parsons"
"Kathy and I met on the beach near their Grand Marais camp. Larry and I pulled our kayaks up and I asked if she was a plover-lady. Little did I know, then, that she and Bill led the plover conservation effort in Grand Marais for over a decade. Kathy taught me how to spot plovers and let me join the cause for a couple of seasons. Because of her, I felt the special joy of watching plovers from shortly after they hatched through fledging. She was an amazing naturalist, able to identify so many plants. She was thankful for her husband and friend, Bill. She lived true to her values every day. She supported important causes in her community, fought for what she believed was right, and worked to protect the natural world that she loved dearly. Kathy was flinty and sharp and funny and demanding. Hers was a life well-lived. "
"I got to know Kathy a little bit through her volunteer work as a tour guide for children at the NMU DeVos Art Museum. She loved spending time with the kids and teaching them about art. One day, I was chatting with her at the museum while we waited for the bus load of kids to arrive. I was very excited after purchasing my first home, and discovering the many plants around the yard. I showed her a photo of one plant I had found asking for help identifying it. She gently informed me it was tansy, an invasive species, and let me know I should not let it spread in the yard - we had a good laugh. This moment opened my eyes and led me to learning more about native species in our area. She had so much knowledge and was always willing to share. I still think of that conversation every time I encounter tansy. She was a bright light that will be missed. My condolences to her family. Melissa Matuscak Alan"
"This thanksgiving weekend I am so thankful that I was given the precious gift of becoming a member of the Davis/Lockhart family in time to know and love Kathy. I am forever grateful for all the holidays, hikes, and pancake breakfasts that I got to share with Kathy, Bill, and Louise. A wonderful lady and Aunt. Thank you for making me always feel so welcome. "
"Kathy was a role model for me. She cared! She always encouraged me and together we enjoyed nature many times. Her example as an activist and environmental advocate shaped my life, I will very much miss Kathy and she will be remembered."
"Bill, so many remarkable things I read about Kathy, her accomplishments, your life together. Your in my prayers. May Our Heavenly Father be with you in a special way durning this time. Cindy"
"Kathy was my freshman year biology teacher. Her passion for teaching was amazing and contagious; I still think of her on occasion in my own classroom. I was fortunate to have her as a teacher, but also blessed to have been able to stay in touch all these years later. She will be deeply missed but her passion will live on in all the souls she touched. Julie Lapinski"
"I remember when Kathy and Bill first came to town. Her energy and drive helped to pick up this community and move it forward. I am so sorry to hear of her passing . This is a great loss for us all. Bill, my heart goes out to you and my prayers are with you.She was a true teacher to all of us. Greg Seppanen"
"There are so many snapshots of of Kathy that flash by me: Kathy managing volunteers for the STEM program, Kathy speaking on behalf of Planned Parenthood, Kathy hosting a book group. But my favorite image is Kathy walking in the woods with dogs at her side , her arms stretched wide taking in the beauty of the day, so happy she could fly. Her friendship was a treasure. Karlyn Rapport"
"Deeply saddened.lay the passing of Kathy who was an extraordinary and lovely woman. I shall miss her and send my sincere sympathies to you. Bill Quill"
"Kathy was a passionate activist; I and other AAUW sisters will miss her terribly. So many memories of her devotion."
"Bill, we are very sorry to learn about Kathy\'s passing. Please know you are in our thoughts. Bill and Simone Vajda"