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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obituary: Davidson, Frances Willa

Age 92

DAVIDSON, Frances Willa Frances Willa Davidson was born December 4, 1921 to Pearl Daniels Thorson and William Thorson in Great Falls, Montana and passed away July 27, 2014 at Gilchrist Hospice in Columbia, Maryland with her family at her side.

She lived an amazing life.

Motherless at age six, a smart mountain girl tomboy, a smart aleck, kicked out of harmonica band for “swinging” the songs, a taffy maker, a seamstress and designer, a crack-the- whip roller skater, a state short hand champion, a soda jerk, a dancer, a horseback rider, an elevator operator, a war bride, a mom, a homemaker, a painter, a potter, a cook, a gardener, a volunteer, a mosaic artist, a carpenter, a rock hound, a cake decorator, a student of archaeology, a funny and present grandma, a jam maker, a nurse to her husband, an antique dealer, a world traveler, an avid reader, lover of politics and a crossword aficionado.

She was an Air Force wife who moved 35 times during her husband’s career - with boxes of curtains and cans of paint even base housing became home within a few weeks of landing.

She was sad to leave everyplace she lived yet excited for the next adventure.

She made the best fudge, baked the best chocolate cakes, sewed the best outfits, had the most amazing holiday decorations and hosted the best dinners.

She faced great loss during her life yet always had a great sense of humor and wonder and appreciation.

She loved Pete Fountain, dances, vintage jewelry, museums, Constant Comment tea, old movies, jigsaw puzzles, travel, orange creams, her garden, bird watching, Barack Obama, her patio, people watching, Jeopardy, impressionist painters, Peter Sellers, hats, her neighbors and friends but most of all she loved her family.

She was unfailingly supportive of their interests and threw herself into them as well.

She taught them they could accomplish anything.

She made things wonderful and will be missed terribly.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerrold K.Davidson; sisters, Lucille Johnson, Norma Jean Thorson, Mary Frances Valiton; and brother, Daniel Thorson.

She is survived by sons, Patrick Davidson (Patricia) and Douglas Davidson of Spokane, WA; and daughter, Tracey Davidson of West Friendship, MD; granddaughters, Kelli Davidson of Spokane, WA and Hanna Al-Kowsi of West Friendship, MD; grandsons, Jesse Davidson (Annie) of LaGrande, Oregon and Sean Davidson of Bellingham, WA; great-grandson, Michael Davidson; and great-grand daughter and namesake, Lily Frances Davidson; and sister, Donna Wahlberg of Great Falls, MT.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association.