Sally Lynn Davis

Longtime Claremont resident Sally Lynn Davis died peacefully on May 5, 2022 at the age of 85. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, community volunteer, neighbor, friend and so much more.

Sally was born in Kansas City, Missouri on January 11, 1937. She was the only child of Ruby and Dale Steele. The family moved to California when Sally was very young. After living briefly in San Diego, her family settled in Lynwood, California where Sally entered the 3rd grade. She attended Lynwood High School where she was active in various social clubs and worked as a Red Cross volunteer. She would meet her future husband, Gerald “Jerry” Davis at Lynwood High where they both graduated in 1955. After High School, Sally attended nursing school in Los Angeles. Sally and Jerry met at Lynwood High, however, they didn’t begin formally dating until after graduation. Soon the relationship blossomed and they were married in October of 1958. They resided in Lynwood for a year or so, where their first daughter, Brenda was born in November of 1959.

The young family moved to Claremont in 1960 where they purchased their first home on San Jose Street and Jerry finished college at Cal-Poly Pomona. Two more children were soon born into the family, Linda in 1961 and Scott in 1965. Jerry pursued a career as a computer science instructor at Mt. SAC community college and the family settled into suburban life in Claremont. Sally was the center of the family, coordinating homelife, events and activities. She was very involved in both the academic and extra-curricular activities for all three children. The Girl Scout program was a big part of Sally’s life and she rose to fill leadership positions. Both daughters, Brenda and Linda, were Girl Scouts. Among the campers Sally was affectionately known as “Ducky.”

Sally attended many sporting events to include all of the Claremont High School home team football games for over 10 years. Additionally, she helped plan three senior year parties. She loved crafts and decorating and took a part-time job as a floral arranger at the flower shop Casa Flores in downtown Claremont. In this position, she knew what flowers and corsages the girls were to receive for the various high school dances, however, since she was sworn to secrecy, she never told.

As a teacher, Jerry had the summers off from school. For five summers in the 1970s, the family would go to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon where Jerry worked as a seasonal park ranger and the family would enjoy an extended summer vacation. Sally became a friend to all within the seasonal summer community of Grand Canyon Park Service workers. She was always positive, outgoing and sought to include everyone in the various summer activities around the camp. She was an excellent cook and was known as a “second mom” to the firefighters, conservationists and park rangers.

After Jerry retired from teaching, the couple moved to Encinitas and began renovations on an old house and property that had been in the family for years. It was here that Sally hosted summer “grandma camps” for the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Always engaged in community activities, Sally continued her volunteer service with the American Red Cross and was awarded a “50-year volunteer pin.” She also made a hobby of raising Dachshund dogs. She owned several over the years and even trained one to serve as a “therapy dog.” Sally always had a strong desire to help others. She regularly volunteered to take her therapy dog to visit local hospitals to comfort sick patients who needed cheering up. She really enjoyed the dachshund breed and joined the Dachshund Club of San Diego where she served on the board of directors for several years. She planned and hosted various events related to the Dachshund club over many years.

Sally lived a long and happy life and was loved by everyone she met. She was fond of travel and always enjoyed meeting new people. She cultivated many lifelong friendships. Her family, friends and acquaintances were always eager to see and hear from her. Sally was always positive and cheerful. She had a heart of gold and found the good in everyone she met. She always tried to help others and made community service a priority in her life.

Sally was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jerry in 2001. Jerry’s passing was sudden and unexpected, he was only 64. Finally, at long last, Sally and Jerry are eternally reunited.

Sally is survived by her adult children; Brenda (Randy) of Tucson, Linda (Scott) of Oceanside and Scott (Karen) of Claremont, her grandchildren, Brittney, Taylor, Kristen, Dallas, Nathaniel, Hailey and Eric, and her great grandchildren, Nicole, George, Olivia, Penelope, Charlotte and Coral with two more coming this year.

A celebration of life and gathering of remembrance will be conducted for Sally on June 25, 2022 in Encinitas. Please contact the family for details if you are interested in attending or call Brenda Seeliger 520-405-0112.

Memorial donations can be made to the American Red Cross at redcross.org, the Dementia Society of America at dementiasociety.org. or the charity of your choice.

 

 

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