Jean Adelle Nordby Davis

1925 - 2021

Former Fairbanks resident Jean Adelle Nordby Davis, 96, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021, and was interred in Meridian, Idaho, on Nov. 8.
Jean was born July 1, 1925, in Lewiston, Idaho, the first of three children to John C. and Hazel Nordby. Her youth was spent helping on the family farm during the depression. During Jean's junior year of high school, a handsome young man came to the dairy farm testing cows. Later, this same gentleman, now away from home in the Navy, sent Christmas cards to his clients. Jean responded and their courtship by mail began. Jean married Fred J. Davis, Jr. on Oct. 19, 1943; they were married for 41 years.
Jean and Fred raised five children on dairy farms in Meridian, Idaho. She was employed as a secretary at a wide variety of locations over the years to supplement farm income. In 1980, they fulfilled a long-time dream and moved to Seward, Alaska, when she had the opportunity to transfer with the US Forest Service. A decline in Fred's health led to a return to Idaho in 1983, where he died in 1985. Jean remained in Idaho for several years, but moved to Fairbanks in 1991 after the birth of her youngest granddaughter. She was employed by the United Way of the Tanana Valley and volunteered as board secretary for the Tanana Valley State Fair.
Jean loved all kinds of crafts and spent her Fairbanks winters at her sewing machine creating gifts and quilts.
Jean was initiated into the Order of the Eastern Star in Meridian in 1955. Over the years she held each office and served as Worthy Matron in 1966-1967. She maintained her membership for her lifetime. Following Fred's death, Jean developed an interest in genealogy and became a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in February 1988. While in Fairbanks, she held a variety of offices at the state and local level including Alaska Chapter Regent 1995-96 and 2005-06.
Jean returned to Idaho in 2006 and in 2016 moved to Heron Place (assisted living) in Nampa. Her faith in Jesus was the cornerstone of her life and no matter where she lived, she always had a home church. Since there was no consistent church service at the facility, Jean led worship each Sunday with the help of songbooks and recorded sermons on CD.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Fred. She is survived by her brother, John Nordby, and sister Ann Burke (Larry); her five children and their spouses: John (Anna) of Caldwell, Idaho; Bill (Sharon) of Rosharon, Texas; Mary Jacks (Dennis) of San Antonio, Texas; Alan (Connie) of Nampa, Idaho; and Cindi Gryder (Bill) of Fairbanks; 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.