Mary P. Davis

Mary Patricia Davis (née Gibbons), age 90, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026, in North Riverside, Illinois.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Mary lived a life marked by adventure, exploration, curiosity, devotion to family, and a deep appreciation for learning, beauty, and faith. Over the course of her life she made homes in Chicago, Illinois; New Orleans, Louisiana; St. Cloud, Minnesota; Waukegan, Illinois; Marion, Indiana; Thousand Oaks, California; River Forest, Illinois; San Diego, California, and Santa Rosa, California, before returning to the Chicago area in her final years.

Mary shared a loving marriage of nearly 56 years with her husband, William “Bill” Davis PhD, until his passing in 2023. Together they built a life rich with family, faith, laughter, constant learning, lively debate, Twelfth Night parties, many moves, and travel around the United States.

A lifelong learner and teacher, Mary taught English and journalism at Lane Technical High School and Mother Theodore Guerin High School and shared her love of art with her children and their classmates as a “Picture Lady” in River Forest, Illinois elementary schools. She delighted in helping others see the world more closely and thoughtfully. Her intellectual curiosity was boundless: she was a voracious reader with a particular fondness for spy and detective novels, a devoted student of scripture, and a lover of opera, art, music, and the beauty of nature. Faith was central to her life, and attending daily Mass was among her most cherished routines. Mary taught religious education classes and served as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister in her many home parishes.

She loved to travel, especially cherishing her travels across the United States, and time spent in France, Italy, Greece, and her beloved Ireland.

Mary is survived by her children: Mary Davis (John) Fournier of Oak Park, Illinois; John (Donna) Davis of Brooklyn, New York; Anne (Peter Menard) Davis of Pacifica, California; and Joseph Davis of Oak Park, Illinois. She was the devoted grandmother of Maya, John (“Jack”), Barrett, and Clayton Davis; Katharine and Sebastian Fournier; and Clara and Tabitha Davis-Menard.

She is also survived by her siblings Michael (Shelley) Gibbons of Evanston, Illinois, and Francis (Ann) Gibbons of Chicago, Illinois, and by her sister-in-law Kathleen Gibbons of Chicago, Illinois.

Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband Bill; her son William “Will” Davis of San Francisco, California; and siblings Austin (Helen) Gibbons, William (Kathleen) Gibbons, and Thomas Gibbons.

She was a favorite aunt, cousin, and friend to many, remembered for her warmth, curiosity, generosity of spirit, and a kindness that remained steady and bright throughout her life.

Those who knew Mary will strive to carry forward her love of learning, her faith, and her positive spirit. Though we are bereft, her spirit endures in the lives she shaped and the family she cherished.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Ascension Catholic Church, 808 S. East Ave., Oak Park, IL at 10 a.m. on May 16, 2026. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to, Caledonia Senior Living, 2800 Des Plaines Avenue, North Riverside, IL 60546, an admirable nonprofit where Mary received love and friendship from their kind and dedicated group of caregivers in her final years.

Inurnment Private

Arrangements entrusted to Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services 9445 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513.Information 708-485-2000 or www.HitzemanFuneral.com

For those of you that would like to express your condolences to the family, please click on the Guestbook and you can leave the family a message. If you wish to send a Sympathy Card to the Family, please feel free to send it to Hitzeman Funeral Home, Ltd., 9445 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513, c/o the Mary P. Davis Family. We will gladly forward it on to the family.