Claudia Davis

Succombing to complications of Alzheimer's, my mother - my best friend - has passed away.
How to recap the life of such a remarkable person in a few sentences? Impossible, but here is what I can muster at this time of grief:
After a life of travels with husband Donald Davis, a career Air Force pilot (preceded in death), Claudia made Golden her home from 1968-2014. Claudia possessed amazing talents - a great mother, fabulous cook, singer, published poet… then on to becoming a self-made business entrepreneur. Two generations will fondly remember Claudia's unique collectors' stuffed animal shop, "Animal Krackers", in Heritage Square, Golden. Claudia maintained her Southern charm - replete with big hair and Mississippi accent -- that endeared her to all. From the 70s thru the 90s, Claudia delighted customers with her unique, handselected collection. (She is shown in the pic with one of her life-like stuffed toys). Long after she retired, past-customers would spot her in Safeway, hug her and tell her how she had helped create such special memories - for themselves, and then their own kids. And Claudia remembered each of them from their early childhood visits to the shop.
Regretting to leave Golden, Claudia relocated in 2017 to be near her daughters in southern Arizona. Throughout the clutches of Alzheimer's, she never lost her memories of Golden.
Claudia is survived by two daughters: Karen Cannon (Tubac, AZ), and my sister Donna Garven (Green Valley, AZ), and grandson Douglas Garven (Nashville, TN).