Isabella E. Davis
Feb. 27, 1913-Sept. 12, 2012
Palo Alto, California

Isabella E. Davis passed away on Sept. 12, 2012, in her 100th year of life.

As a long time Palo Alto resident, she gave freely of her time and resources to her family and her community and was active in the Methodist Church, P.E.O., Palo Alto Garden Club, Scouting, YMCA, Food Bank, Nearly New Shop, and Medical Auxiliary organizations.

Born in Omaha, Neb., on Feb. 27, 1913, as Isabella E. Hansen, daughter of George and Ethelda Hansen of Omaha, she attended public schools and graduated from Central High in the class of 1930.

An accomplished pianist, she assisted with organist duties at her Omaha First Presbyterian Church, while she worked as an Information Clerk at Woodmen of the World Insurance Co.

In 1936 she married Theodore R. Damask and assisted her husband in operating Ted's Pen Shop in Omaha.

They attended the First Lutheran Church with their three sons, Robert, Philip and Thomas.

In the summer of 1948, the young family relocated to Palo Alto, Calif. She and Ted joined the First Methodist Church, where she taught First Grade Sunday School, was active in the UMC Women's Circle group, and organized the Heifer Project.

Isabella became active in scouting as a Den Mother (eventually the proud mother of three Eagle Scouts), and later became active on the Board of Directors of the local YMCA.

Her husband, Theodore, passed away in 1959 and is interred at Forest Lawn in Omaha.

Isabella busied herself with activities in P.E.O. (where she served two terms as President and later as President of Reciprocity), in her church Women's Circle, and in the Palo Alto Garden Club, where she was known as Mrs. T. Rose Damask.

She married Dr. Burt L. Davis, M.D., in 1964 and their blended family numbered five sons.

She supported her husband in his duties at the California Medical Association (CMA), his tenure as trustee of the American Medical Association (AMA), and representative to the World Medical Association (WMA), which required extensive traveling throughout the world.

She served as an officer in her husband's companies, and became active in the Women's Medical Auxiliary of Santa Clara County, Calif.

After Dr. Davis died in 1982, she continued her domestic and international travels with friends and neighbors, and continued her active participation in the community organizations she loved.

Within the last decade, early signs of Dementia entered her world and she lived at home until her death, continuing her connections with P.E.O., enjoying many musical events nearby and short trips to be with family, usually accompanied by her Care Giver in later years.

Isabella was interred at Forest Lawn in Omaha. She is survived by her sons, R. Ted, Philip, and Thomas Damask and Alexander Davis, and her grandchildren Laura, James, Deborah, Kathryn, and Dianna, plus Todd & Joanna.

Also Great Grandchildren, Rome, Lucius, Claire, and Brigitte, plus Julianne, Connor, Noah, and Natalie.

Family, Friends, and Neighbors are invited to a Memorial Service honoring and celebrating her life:

Saturday, Oct. 27, 11 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto on Hamilton Ave.

Tags: business, public service