Dorothy Janice Davisson

Anderson- Dorothy Janice Davisson Jan died Sunday, September 26, 2010 at the age of 74 in her home in Anderson, surrounded by her loving family. Jan was born on May 10, 1934, in Franklin, Indiana, to Ruby Calvert and Harold Jack Smith. With their parents, she and her sister Karen grew up in Greenwood, Indiana where she began her study of music and piano at the age of 5. She graduated with honors from Greenwood High School and attended Indiana University, where she was a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority, forming several of her closest life-long friendships. She graduated from IU Bloomington in 1956 and married Richard Davisson of Anderson. Jan and Dick raised three children and were devotedly married for 54 years. Throughout her life, Jan filled her home with music, and her kitchen was a happy gathering place for children and friends. Jan found great joy in sharing her strong faith, especially through the First Presbyterian Church, where she and her family worshiped. She participated in the Youth Education Ministry, assisted for many years with the Vacation Bible School, and particularly enjoyed assisting with the Christmas childrenï¿½s programs. She and her husband were instrumental in establishing Young Life in Anderson in the 1970ï¿½s and worked tirelessly to bring this ministry to young people throughout Madison County. Learning to snow ski in the late 70ï¿½s, she and Dick loved attending Young Life adult Ski and Grow Camps in Colorado. She was further deeply blessed by her attendance at the Praise Gathering in Indianapolis, which she attended every year, and by other opportunities, books and music flowing from the ministry of Bill and Gloria Gaither. Jan enjoyed many years in active service with the Anderson Chapter of Kappa, Kappa, Kappa Social Sorority. She was a long time member of the Anderson Womenï¿½s Club where she expanded her circle of friends. She also enjoyed greatly serving as a Pink Lady at Community Hospital. Above all, Jan loved her monthly bridge club ï¿½ which was formed before the birth of her first child and through which she and her closest friends shared the challenges and the joys of life. Throughout her life, she loved her friends and was so very blessed by them. One of the things her family and friends will miss most about Jan has been her remarkable attitude these past few years. Following the onset of her illness and despite the loss of her sight, she remained active and optimistic. Jan is survived by her husband, Richard Davisson, and by children, Leslie Ann Davisson Mattingly Mack of St. Simons Island, Georgia, William Calvert Davisson of Anderson, and Jennifer Lynn Davisson of Anderson, Grandchildren Laura Anne Davisson and James Richard Davisson of Anderson, Her sister Dr. Karen Smith Hill Dr. James of Naples Florida, Brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Janie Davisson, brother-in-law Leeds Hutchinson Cynthia, and many nieces and nephews, as well as her extended Calvert and Smith family. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister-in-law Jane Davisson Hutchinson. The family wishes to thank her numerous friends and caregivers and Southern Care Hospice for their love and caring help. Special thanks are given to Nancy and Bob Johnston, and Ann and Chuck Grenda for years and years of unbelievable help. Visitation will be at the Robert D. Loose Funeral Home from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, September 30th. Private Interment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery on Friday morning October 1st. A Service in Celebration of and Thanksgiving for her Life will follow at 1:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 9 West Ninth St. Anderson, Indiana. The family will greet friends at a reception in the church parlor after the service. The Reverend Ryan Rasmussen will officiate. In lieu of flowers, friends may send gifts to The Indiana Parkinson Center of Excellence c/o Indiana University Foundation PO Box 660245 Indianapolis, IN 46266-0245, or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research Attn: Tribute Gifts Church Street Station P.O. Box 780 New York, NY 10008-0780, or to the charity of their personal choice. www.loosefuneralhomes.com

Dorothy Janice Davisson

May 10, 1934 - September 26, 2010