Lourdes Leticia "Letty" Davison-Rios

1953 - 2023

BORN

1953

DIED

2023

Lourdes Davison-Rios Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for Lourdes Leticia "Letty" Davison-Rios
Start: 2023-08-26T20:00:00.000Z
Location: GracePointe Chapel #2.

Lourdes "Letty" Leticia Davision-Rios of Tucson, AZ went to be with the Lord on August 3, 2023 surrounded by her close family and friends after a courageous 21-month battle with stage 4 lung cancer. She was 69 years old.

Letty was born on August 10, 1953 in Tucson, AZ to Margarita and Fred Davison. She was known by family and friends as a kind, loving, and feisty woman who always spoke her mind. She was an avid gardener and loved tending to her ever-growing backyard garden and spending as much time with her family as possible. She loved to critique her husband's photography, go shopping with her daughters and take long rides to see different parts of Tucson.

Letty was a perfectionist when it came to planning and preparation, and was a proud retired faculty member of Tucson High School, having served as a teacher and later as the Magnet Coordinator for over 30 years. She was most recently the Chairwoman of the Badger Foundation Scholarship Committee where she helped students receive scholarships for college and will soon be inducted into the Tucson High Hall of Fame in October.

Letty, the most loving and devoted wife, mother, and nana is survived by her husband of 42 years, Eddie; daughters, Sarah (Burt) and Leah (Matthew); grandson Bear; faithful dogs, Captain and Zoe; mother, Margarita, sister, Jennifer (Herman); and brother John (Vicki). Letty was preceded in death by her father Fred Davison.

Remember Letty anytime you smell Pine Sol, buy something on sale, see a nesting desert dove, or witness a beautiful Tucson sunset. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 26th at 1pm, at GracePointe Chapel #2 (2555 W Valencia Rd, Tucson, AZ). In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Tucson High Badger Foundation, the Gospel Rescue Mission, or bring a plant to the service to be planted in her memorial garden. Any favorite memories and pictures of Letty are greatly appreciated and can be sent to [email protected].

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Arizona Daily Star from Aug. 13 to Aug. 20, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Lourdes Davison-Rios

11 Entries

Leah Rios-Wicklein

August 3, 2025

Another year without you. It’s been two years, and I still catch myself reaching for the phone to call you, only to realize in that split second that I never can again.

Nana recently joined you in heaven this June, and while it’s been hard, there’s some comfort knowing you’re together now, both of you looking down on me.

I still struggle with the bitterness of seeing others celebrate milestones with their moms, knowing they get more time while mine was cut short. But then I think of those who lost their parents long before I did, and it reminds me to feel grateful for the years I had with you, even though it was never enough. I’m also thankful we still have Dad and for the wonderful motherly figures I still have in my life, especially Bridget, Tia, and Sasha who have shown me so much love and care.

Today, I went to Trader Joe’s because I know how much you loved that place. I bought two plants. Even though I didn’t inherit your green thumb, I’m going to try my best to keep them alive. I know you’d love that I’m trying.

Dad and Sarah miss you just as deeply. Dad has had a tough year, but he’s doing his best, just like you always taught us. You would be over the moon seeing Bear grow up, and you would have been so in love with your granddaughter, Inez. I hope you’re watching and seeing what a wonderful mom Sarah has become, all because of you.

I know this day will never get easier, but I hope I can continue to find ways to honor you, to show you my love, and to celebrate the amazing mom you always were.

Love you forever, Mom.

Leah Rios-Wicklein

August 3, 2024

Dear Mom,
Today marks one year since you’ve been gone. I wasn’t sure how I would make it to this day, but somehow I have. I hate that you’ve missed so much. Some days it feels like I’m losing you all over again. At times, I sense signs that you’re nearby, while other moments I convince myself you’re still here—I imagine coming home to find you in the car when Dad picks me up at the airport or seeing you in your bedroom with your morning coffee.

It hasn’t been easy for any of us, but we’ve made it to this point. Whenever I hear about someone’s parent passing, I’m transported back to how I felt on this day last year. I still don’t have the right words to offer others, but I believe that the concept of moving forward without truly moving on will always resonate.

I strive to make you proud every day. I’m constantly reminded of how fortunate we were to have you, and how much too soon you were taken from us. I still grapple with why some people are here longer than others, but I accept that it’s a mystery I’ll never fully understand.

Today, I tried to do things that you would have loved or wanted for me. I listened repeatedly to your saved voicemails and texts, and I’m incredibly grateful to still have a piece of your voice. You brought me so much joy, and I will never stop missing you.

I chose this picture because Captain couldn’t bear to be without you, so he joined you a few months later. I hope you two are together in heaven, happy and looking fabulous, enjoying the sun in your own garden with him in your lap, enjoying some cafecito and looking over us.

With all my love,
Your Leah Leah

George Corrales

November 18, 2023

Rest in peace, Letty. My heart and prayers go out to you Eddie.

RICHARD GALVAN SALAZ

September 14, 2023

LETTY WAS CO-WORKER AT THE CITY OF SOUTH TUCSON IN THE LATE 70'S. SHE WAS A VERY CONSCIENCE PERSON WITH A VERY PROFESSIONAL AND CARING ATTITUDE TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT SHE CAME INTO CONTACT. MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD GREET HER WITH OPEN AS HE WELCOMES HER INTO HIS KINGDOM. REST IN ETERNAL PEACE MY DEAR FRIEND.

Barbara Waldenmeyer Cisneros

August 30, 2023

Dear Eddie and family, please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your wife, mother and grandmother. May God Bless you all with many wonderful memories of her to give you strength and courage to face each day without her. My heartfelt sympathies to you all.

Vivi P. Watt

August 23, 2023

I have not seen Letty since I retired from T.U.S.D high school administration nine years ago, but have thought of her often. I will never forget our Monday morning curriculum meetings at Tucson High when we would not only plan for creative and meaningful programs and events, but had lots of fun and laughs together as well.

Letty was awesome at everything she did. She took the reigns of Magnet Coordinator at Tucson High and literally ran with it. She was dedicated, creative, caring, and so hard working. After retiring from Tucson High, she came to Pueblo to work with me to manage a grant. I could always depend on her to do what needed to be done and go above and beyond any job description.

Letty and I not only worked together for a number of years, but became friends. We shared experiences with our children together; and supported each other through the thick and thin at work. I will miss her tremendously and am grateful for the time she was part of my life.

God bless you, my friend and colleague, and may you rest in peace.

Celina Tran

August 20, 2023

We are so sorry for your family's loss. Sending your family hugs and prayers during a difficult time. Love, Tran Family

Diana Quintanar

August 19, 2023

Nelson Mandela said, "What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others." Letty made a positive difference in the lives of hundreds of Tucson High students, both in Exceptional Education as Job Developer and Transition Specialist and in regular education as Tucson High´s Magnet Coordinator. Her influence on the Tucson High community and Tucson in general spans decades. Her place in the Tucson High Hall of Fame is well deserved!

You were an amazing daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend! Everyone you loved and loved you were better off because of who you are and everything you did for them and with them. You were a good, kind, and loving woman and lived a full and rich life! I will always love you and miss you my friend!

Bob and Terri Gastellum

August 17, 2023

Dear Eddie,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God Bless and carry you through this most difficult time.
Bob and Terri Gastellum

Therri Ramirez

August 14, 2023

We´re so sorry to hear of Letty´s passing. Thank you for being a wonderful neighbor to my mother in law for so many years, and later, to my son and his family.
Rios family, we are with you in your time of sorrow. May God´s love and grace and the love of family and friends, sustain you.
Andy and Therri Ramirez/Ramirez Family

Dr. Russ Andaloro

August 13, 2023

My sincere condolences to Ed and family. I was fortunate to have worked with Letty at THS and Eddie through several community organizations! Tucson is a much better place because of their hard work and dedication to youth!

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