Obituary of Mary Edwards Davenport

Mary Edwards Davenport beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, died February 18, 2016. She resided in Tucson, AZ, and Little Point Sable, Shelby, MI. She was preceded in death by husband, Gideon; sister, Ann Manger and her parents, Leland and Ruth Edwards. She is survived by daughter, Ann Byl (Larry) of Shelby, MI; sons, Jim Davenport (Becky) of Tucson, Tom Davenport (Marcia) of Denver, and Paul Davenport (Patricia Sallen) of Phoenix; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Mary was born November 6, 1922, in Passaic, N.J., and raised in Montclair, N.J. where she met Gideon Davenport in tenth grade at Montclair High School. They began their 61-year marriage when they wed March 9, 1943 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, while Gideon trained there in the Army during World War II. Mary worked in a radio factory during part of the war while Gideon served overseas in the South Pacific. Mary attended the University of North Carolina before the war and Cornell University after the war. They lived in Upper Montclair and Bridgewater, N.J., while raising their family. She and Gideon moved to Tucson upon Gideon's retirement from Rutgers University in 1984. They moved in 2003 to the Forum at Tucson, where Mary made many friends. Mary and sister, Ann were avid birders and she and Gideon enjoyed hiking, canoeing and taking their children on camping and sightseeing trips. They summered at Little Point Sable where they provided a beautiful and relaxing setting for visits and gatherings that fostered family ties that will last for generations. They belonged to hiking groups in Arizona and New Jersey, and Mary's volunteer work included the Girl Scouts and Tucson Food Bank. They belonged to St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Tucson and Mary was active in the church's Mental Health Support Group. Mary's family gratefully thanks the kind and helpful staff of The Forum at Tucson and of TMC Hospice. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 27, 2016 at The Forum at Tucson, 2500 N. Rosemont Blvd. (main entrance). Donations may be made in honor of Mary to TMM Family Services Inc.