Marian Margaret Bigelow Davison

Marian Margaret Bigelow Davison Marian Margaret Bigelow Davison was born in Malone, N.Y., Jan. 18, 1917, to Eva Mae Elliott Bigelow and Henry Jay Bigelow. She graduated from Syracuse University in 1938 with a Bachelor in Arts, taught English, and was the school librarian in Hammondsport, N.Y. in 1939. She married Hugh Matson Davison, of Syracuse N.Y., July 1, 1939. Marian graduated with a Masters in Education from Harvard University in 1941. While at Harvard, she was President of the Dames Club and Marshall at Commencement. From 1942 to 1948, the Davison family lived in Norfolk, Va. and Rockville, Md. She was the mother of three children, John Bigelow Davison, Janet Elliott Davison and Anne Davison Ferguson. In 1948, when the Davisons moved to State College, Marian became involved in the community. She was a member and Vice President of the American Association of University Women (1949-50). Marian was a member of the first committee to sell used books for AAUW in State College. She was one of the first supporters to help provide a library for State College. She had been instrumental in founding the League of Women Voters in State College and was president (1955-1957). She began the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority Chapter in 1954 in State College, was Board Director of the Associated Charities of State College, 1952-1956, and from 1958-1960, was a Centre County Commissioner. She received her Ph.D in Education from Penn State University in 1961. She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Lambda Theta, and Alpha Xi Delta. From 1961 to 1973, she was Associate Dean of Students at Penn State University. She remained involved in the community as Vice President of Business and Professional Women (1962-1963), President of the State College League of Women Voters, President (1967-1969) and a member of American Association of University Women, Chairman of Child Development Council of Centre County, Chairman of Central Region Planning Council of the Governor's Justice Commission and a member of the State College Borough Planning Commission. From 1973 to 1982, Marian was the Executive Director for the Girl Scouts of Genesee Valley in Rochester, N.Y. She retired in 1982 and returned to State College. Marian was President of the Friends of Schlow Library in 1985. She was a board member of the Red Cross. Marian remained involved with AAUW for over 50 years. She was a member of Saint Paul's United Methodist Church for over 58 years. Marian loved family, church, community, and the arts. She was a champion for women causes and worked to improve her community and help those in need. She loved sports as a spectator and as an avid Penn State football fan, tailgated for over 50 years. Penn State Women's Basketball was a second love. Most of her adult life she volunteered for many causes, played bridge, enjoyed swimming, skiing and world travel. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Jay Bigelow, 1971, Syracuse, N.Y., Eva Mae Elliott Bigelow, 1975, State College; her brother, Paul Bigelow, 1939, Syracuse; husband, Hugh Matson Davison,1969; son, John Bigelow Davison, 1991, Rebersburg; and daughter, Janet Elliott Davison, 1995, State College. She is survived by her daughter, Anne Davison Ferguson and son-in-law, Alan S. Ferguson, of Lemont; daughter-in-law, Maria Zwick Davison, of Rebersburg; grandchildren, Joshua Davison, of Indianapolis, Ind., Jessica Ortiz, of Navarre, Fla., Scott Ferguson, of Lincoln, Neb., Jonathan Ferguson, of Lincoln, Neb.; and great-granddaughter, Yanori Ferguson. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Schlow Centre Region Library, 211 S. Allen St. State College, PA 16801, American Association of University Women, 2100 E. College Ave., State College, PA 16801 or St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 109 McAllister St., State College, PA 16801. Friends will be received Friday, June 30, 2006, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., at the Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton St., State College. A funeral service will be held Friday, June 30, 2006, at 3 p.m., at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held privately at the Centre County Memorial Park at a later date.