Jean Davidson

Jean M Davidson, 91, passed away peacefully from pancreatic cancer on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at Mercy Hospice in Johnston with family by her side. Jean Marie Morris was born on October 5, 1925 to Lloyd and Anna Morris in Garden Grove, IA.

Jean married her husband of 62 years, Robert V Davidson on December 7, 1946. They had three sons, Gary, Robert (Bobby), and Greg. She made their house a home all about family and filled it with love. Her family was active and she didn’t miss anything. Family camping was a big one. But mostly, there was Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, swimming lessons, baseball, football, track, wrestling, and other activities where her sons always seemed they needed to be. She made sure they got there. Uniforms were always washed for the next day events.

Jean was similarly active as her sons. She and her husband enjoyed bowling in a mixed league for a number of years. They were accomplished ‘square dancers’. She always seemed to be energetic. There is something to be said about being ‘young at heart’. She volunteered on the Board of the Fort Des Moines Little League for a number of years. As a member of the Fort Des Moines Methodist Church, she served in various capacities as were necessary and helpful.

She never knew a stranger and enjoyed the company of friends everywhere she went. Those who came to visit were the same as family and always invited to stay for dinner. She enjoyed cooking and baking, as she would make some of the best tasting pies around and a chocolate pudding that was the best. In the earlier times, she canned fruits and would make some of the sweetest pickles you could find. It was a recipe from Grandma Morris.

Jean was employed by Northwestern Bell early in her working career. After taking time away to begin a family, she went to work for Bankers Life in a capacity referred to then as ‘mothers-hours’. This was great for her family as it gave her time to be home in the morning and afternoon with her sons. With that job, she was always home in the summer. But as times changed, the same job became a year round responsibility. She continued with her employment there which later became the Principal Financial Group from which she earned her retirement.

Jeans husband Bob, said to her, “if you will retire, I will take you wherever you would like to go”. So she did, and they did, travel. Jean appreciated the opportunities they had going on tours to Europe, taking cruises north and south, making trips to Hawaii, and driving to other destinations of interest throughout our beautiful country. Some of her more pleasurable trips came when she and Bob would ‘snowbird’ in Gulf Shores, AL. They made that a destination for a number of years.

As much as Jean enjoyed her sons, nothing compared to her grandchildren. She loved each one of them. If she wasn’t traveling half the length of the country to be there for the delivery of one child being born, she was traveling with them somewhere to spend time doing something fun and ‘spoil’ them in a loving way. From the oldest to the youngest, she always had a sparkle in her eyes for them.

She has enjoyed the company of lifelong friends, neighbors from the early days, and church friends who bring an unmeasured support and encouragement to one another. There are those friends she made through the activities of her sons, and friends through the things she and Bob enjoyed together.

She met people who became friends from the time spent on a group tour or vacation, and snow-birding in Alabama. Yet, the example she has lived in friendship is seen in the relationship she has had to this day with a group of classmates who have gotten together regularly over the years and care for one another.

Jean is survived by her sons, Gary (Kathy), Bob (Lori) of Des Moines, and Greg (Sherry) of Ankeny; 11 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren; and other loving family and special friends.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband Bob, parents Lloyd and Anna Morris, and her brothers Robert, Laurel, and Raymond Morris, and sister Nelda (Morris) Lamb.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 on Saturday Jan 14, 2017 at Fort Des Moines United Methodist Church, 6205 SW 9th ST. A luncheon reception will follow the Funeral service. Family will greet visitors from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday Jan 13, 2017. The burial service will be for family on Saturday at 9:30 prior to the Funeral Service. She will be laid to rest at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, NE 60th AVE, Des Moines.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be directed to: Fort Des Moines United Methodist Church, and to Gigi’s Playhouse (Down syndrome achievement center) 6507 University Ave, Windsor Heights, IA 50324.

On-line condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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