Patricia 'Patty' Davison, 82
Patricia "Patty" Davison of Gardnerville, Nev., passed away of natural causes Friday evening, May 25, 2007, at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center. It was her 82nd birthday. Patty was born on May 25, 1925, in Seattle, the daughter of William and Agnes (Lovejoy) Shannon.
Her father was a prominent construction engineer and the family's early years were spent at various hydroelectric projects throughout the West Coast and Pacific Northwest. Seattle was always considered home, and Patty graduated from Garfield High School before attending the University of Washington. She later graduated from George Washington University.
In 1945, she married Dixon Rice, a dashing career U.S. pilot. After World War II, she joined him at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, where their first child, Dixon Jr., was born in a Quonset hut. Daughter Robin was born two years later in Annapolis, Md., followed by sons Andy in Columbus, Ohio, and Lauren in Fairfax, Va. Following a move to Mercer Island, Wash., they divorced in 1963.
Patty later married Jim Weatherford, a widowed Seattle funeral director, and adopted his son, Marty. The family came to Kalispell in the early 1970s to open Weatherford Funeral Home. After the marriage ended, Patty kept ownership of the funeral home for another decade.
In 1982, she married Marcus Nichols, a widowed rancher from Geraldine, and they lived in Lakeside for a number of years, moving to Kalispell several years before his death from cancer in 2000.
Patty married her soul mate, Bill Davison, in Kalispell the following year, and he survives her at the family home in Garnerville. Also surviving are her children, Dixon and Mitzi Rice of Kalispell, Robin and Dave Nelson of Redmond, Wash., Andy and Janice Rice of Minden, Nev., Lauren and Brenda Rice of San Diego, Marty and Nona Weatherford both of Seattle, and Scott Weatherford of Redmond; as well as numerous grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Patty was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, William D. Shannon; and a sister Mary George.
Patty had been active in the Eastern Star, GOP organizations, Alpha Phi Sorority, hospital volunteers, and many civic or charitable groups.
Music was a lifelong interest, and she was active in the church choir as well as being a soloist on many occasions. She enjoyed playing bridge, reading, solving crossword puzzles, and being surrounded by her grandchildren.
Education was important to Patty and she made sure all her grandchildren had the opportunity for a college education.
She also loved travel, and she and Bill had completed a world cruise shortly before her final illness.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 18, at Christ Church Episcopal, with the Rev. William Baumgarten officiating.
Memorials in Patty's name should be made to Crime Stoppers, or Home Options Hospice of Kalispell.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.