Barbara Davis

Barbara Ann Davis

Barbara A. Davis, 83, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2022 in her Ocala, Florida home, holding her devoted husband’s hand. She courageously battled Alzheimer’s for several years and at the time of her passing, under the care of hospice, she was aware, surrounded by love, and left this earth with ease and grace. All four children and three grandchildren had precious time with her in recent months. For this, her family is grateful.

Barbara was born July 27, 1938 to Phillip Spinelli and Catherine Ricketts Spinelli in Homestead, Pennsylvania. She attended several boarding schools in the Pittsburgh area where she made lifelong friendships. Upon graduation she went on to study at Mercyhurst University. When her brother, Ron, planned to visit for a weekend dance, Barbara needed to find a date. As the sweetheart of Delta Sigma Phi at Gannon College, Barb knew fraternity member Hubert Davis was known to be a good dancer and invited him. They soon fell in love and married on June 24, 1961 at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Homestead, PA . Hubie and Barb raised their family together in the small and beautiful town of Lakewood, NY with many happy years.

Barbara followed her Aunt Jo’s mantra to have her own independence. She relished having a medical career and teaching at Jamestown Community College. During her tenure at both Jamestown General and WCA hospitals she was Program Director of the School of Medical Technology. But even more than her commitment to her career, Barb was completely devoted to being a wife and mother. Having lost her own mother at a very young age, motherhood was everything to her.  Her life philosophy was Carpe Diem; seize the day! Above all, she would want to be remembered as living by that fully.

In addition to her loving husband Hubert, Barbara is survived by her children Kathleen Davis of Shirley, MA; Juli Cochran and husband Richard of Denver, NC; Beth Davis Heppenstall and grandchildren Alexandra, Samuel, and Robert of Duxbury, MA; and Gary Davis and partner Jessica Forte of Orlando FL.  Mrs. Davis is also survived by siblings Ron Spinelli and wife Joyce of Utah; and Madonna Robins and husband James of Washington, DC.

A two time survivor of breast cancer, Barbara knew first hand the physical and emotional effects that the treatments can have and therefore started the first wig bank in Jamestown. The first thing she did when she retired to Ocala was visit the American Cancer Society and became a Reach to Recovery volunteer. She committed much of her time fundraising by chairing Relay for Life events, golf tournaments, and organized a group of volunteers for the Cattle Baron’s Ball.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Cancer Society at https://www.cancer.org/. A Memorial Mass will be held in Ocala at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 24, 2022 at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church