ANDOVER – Mary A. Davis, 83, passed away peacefully with her
children at her side on Saturday (Dec. 7, 2019) at Highland Park Nursing
Center.
Mrs. Davis was born on March 11, 1936 in Willing, in her
grandmother’s house, to Vincent J. and Alice (Graves) Joyce. She was a lifelong
resident of Andover, growing up on “the hill.” She graduated from Andover
Central School in 1954. She was
salutatorian of her class and a champion ping-pong player.
On April 7, 1956 at the Catholic Rectory in Andover, she
married Everett D. “Abe” Davis who predeceased her on August 2, 2012. Mary said
she knew he was “The One” when she saw him in uniform at a town hall dance. Abe
and Mary raised five children; she was a fierce protector and a kind-hearted
mother.
Mary was devoted to her family and many friends. She was
devoted to her duties at Joyce Western Corp. for 30 years. Here, she was
instrumental in bringing women into the workforce and was a good mentor and
role model for them.
Mary is survived by her children, Allison Raykovitz,
Marcella (Steven) Heckman, Cynthia (Daniel) Flurschutz, L. Thomas Davis and Don
Bowie of Arlington, Va., and Mary E. (Jay) Straight; two sisters-in-law,
Lorraine Joyce, Jean Davis; six grandchildren, Francis Raykovitz, Alyssa
(Aaron) Potter, Justin Heckman, Greg (Logan) Flurschutz, Kyle Flurschutz, and
Ian Flurschutz; three great grandchildren, Jaylee Heckman, Josie Heckman, and
Landon Flurschutz; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Along with her husband and parents, Mary is preceded in
death by her brothers James V. Joyce, Charles H. Joyce, and W. Donald Joyce;
and her sisters Joan Dibble and Sandra Howland.
Mary enjoyed reading, especially magazine articles of
celebrities. She enjoyed drawing and, more recently, detailed pencil coloring.
She had great fun riding her bicycle and she loved animals. She had a strong
sense of fashion, had a good eye for detail and was a careful planner.
Mary was such a wonderful mother who always had time for her
children. A favorite memory of Tom and Mary would be crawling into bed with
their mother after she returned from dropping off the older children from
school. It was not unusual to find her taking the trips to school in her
pajamas, making that extra snuggle with them easier. She was witty and fostered
laughter, delighting in a good joke. She was also a comfort to her family, very
soothing when they needed an extra measure of tenderness. She was there to
listen to their troubles and was gifted at offering words of compassion and
kindness.
Alternatively, she was a woman of determination and was not
afraid to tell you her opinion on a matter. When times were difficult, she
marched on in the Joyce tradition of grit and perseverance. She spoke often of
growing up on the farm. Her most common themes were of family gatherings,
Sunday dinners and coffee at the kitchen table.
Mary was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church, the Altar and
Rosary Society, and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Mary had a special way that warmed the hearts of everyone
who knew her. She will be remembered as being a loving and caring individual
with a tender heart, whose life was devoted to her family and her many friends.
The family would like to thank her son-in-law Jay for his
selfless devotion to enable Mary to enjoy her remaining years.
Visitation will be held at the James V. Joyce Home, 839
State Route 417 in Andover on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian
Burial will take place on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church
with Rev. Jim Hartwell officiating. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven
Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Baker-Swan Funeral
Home in Andover.Online condolences may be offered at www.baker.swan.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mary’s name
may be made to the Andover Rescue Squad, PO Box 726 Andover, NY 14806, the
Andover Fire Department, 60 S. Main St., Andover, NY 14806 or to the Andover
Free Library, 40 S. Main St., Andover, NY 14806.
