Joan DAVIDSON

DAVIDSON, Joan Was born October 5, 1942 in Trenton, NJ and died at her home in Tucson, AZ December 12, 2016 at the age of 74 from pancreatic cancer. She was preceded by her parents, Marriott and Jean Nadler of Miami, FL. Joan graduated from Miss Fine's school in Princeton, NJ and went on to Wellesley College where she graduated with honors as a Wellesley College Scholar. She married William Davidson, then a Harvard dental student, taught creative writing for a year, and together they continued their studies at the University of Minnesota where she completed a MA in English and gave birth to two boys, Matthew and Peter. The family followed William's university faculty appointments first to Hartford, CT where Joan partnered in an antiques business, then Jackson, MS where she performed with a modern dance company, and finally settled in Baltimore, MD where Joan became a senior regional marketing manager for the Rouse Company, which specialized in revitalizing historic city centers and landmarks. She also served as president of Sail Baltimore, coordinating the visits of tall ships to the harbor, and orchestrated FreeFall Baltimore, a free public arts program to showcase local artists and develop appreciation of and skills in the arts. Subsequent to retirement, the couple divided time between Tucson, AZ and Ocean View, DE. Joan is survived by Bill, her husband of 52 years; Matt, now an attorney based in Nogales, AZ and Pete, an HR specialist with Wells Fargo based in Columbia, SC. There are two grandchildren; Cecile, age 9 and Thomas, age 14. She is also survived by her brother, Richard and his family. Joan was happy, felt she lived a full life and had no regrets. She travelled extensively for pleasure but also often worked on medical missions with Operation Smile as a medical records manager. She was devoted to and was the center of her family. She always helped others, put others' cares before her own, and is much loved by many from all the diverse periods of her life. She will be celebrated by a small service at home in Tucson and this summer by another memorial for her east coast friends and family. Her ever-present smile and positive, caring presence will be greatly missed.