Mother, poet, pianist, lover of the ocean, boating and swimming

Georgia Olmsted Rust Davis died peacefully after a long illness on May 18 at Pilgrim Place Health Services Center in Claremont. She was 89.

She was born July 29, 1928, in Buffalo, New York, the youngest of five children with four older brothers. She was educated at Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Connecticut and at Wheelock College in Boston. Through church youth activities, she met the Reverend Henry Rust, a Congregational minister. They married in 1950.

Her main goal in life was to be a partner in ministry with her husband as they served Congregational (later, the United Church of Christ) churches in Cambridge and Wellesley, Massachusetts; Whittier, California; and Hinsdale, Illinois. The couple had two children, a daughter, Lucy, who lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and a son, Henry Jr.

After spending some time on Cape Cod, Mrs. Davis developed a love of the ocean, enjoying her time on beach, boating and swimming.

In 1984 the couple retired and moved to Oceanside, California while waiting to enter Claremont’s Pilgrim Place, which they did in 1985. In Claremont, Mrs. Davis pursued her interests in writing poetry, playing piano, knitting and participating in many festival activities.

In 2010 Mr. Rust died at the age of 90. In 2012, the widow married Walter B. Davis, a United Church of Christ pastor and fellow resident of Pilgrim Place. Together the newlyweds enjoyed participating in volunteer work and many activities.

Her first husband, Rev. Henry Rust, and their son, Henry Jr., preceded her in death.

She leaves behind her husband, Walter B. Davis; daughter, Lucy; a brother and numerous nieces and nephews.

“She will be greatly missed,” her friends at Pilgrim Place said. “Her gracious spirit and her humor enhanced our lives.”

Plans for a celebration of her life are being made for July, when Mrs. Davis would have celebrated her 90th birthday.

Memorial gifts may be made by check to Pilgrim Place, with Residents Health and Support Program in the memo line, mailed to 625 Mayflower Rd., Claremont, CA 91711, or online at pilgrimplace.org.