ANNE DAVIS

DAVIS--Anne M., aged 78, died at home on December 13th, surrounded by family. The cause of death was cancer. The daughter of Irving and Adele Moskovitz, Anne Joan was born in New York City and grew up in Scarsdale where she attended Scarsdale High School ('58). A graduate of Radcliffe College ('62), she spent two years teaching English at the Achimota school outside of Accra, Ghana before attending Georgetown Law School and graduating from NYU Law School ('68). She clerked for a civil court judge before joining CBS Inc. where she served as Staff Attorney and Managing Counsel until resigning in 1988. Following a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, she embarked on a career of activism and volunteerism. She founded and directed the Legal Services Program of the Multiple Sclerosis Society's New York City Chapter (the annual "Legal Day" she created now bears her name). Among other board and committee positions, she served as President and Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY) and was chair of the Taxis For All Campaign, increasing the number of accessible yellow cabs and livery vehicles in New York City. For the last 13 years, Anne volunteered as a financial coach at the Community Services Society, a role she cherished particularly. Her first marriage, to Alain Y. Morvan in 1963, ended in divorce. In 1976, she married the architect Lewis Davis with whom she shared a rich partnership until his death in 2006. They enjoyed a wonderful and dynamic network of family and friends, traveled internationally and thrived on the cultural life of New York City. Among many interests and talents, Anne was a passionate theater-goer, Sunday New York Times Crossworder, and unstoppably victorious on Words with Friends. Anne Davis cared about justice and equality, politics and the underrepresented, touching many lives and deeply inspiring all who knew her. She was known for her exceptional intelligence, graciousness and generosity, handling the challenges of chronic illness with remarkable courage and grit. She is survived by her brother, Peter Moskovitz; daughter, Ariel Morvan (Alesha); her stepsons, Steven (Anna), Michael (Dana), Peter (Martha) Davis; grandchildren, Emily, Nicholas, Alexander, Zachary and Nina; and a dedicated team of caregivers. She was adored and will be missed beyond measure. There will be a memorial celebration in the new year, date to be announced. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Center for Independence of the Disabled, NY at CIDNY.org.