Leola "Connie" Corrine Davis
March 29, 1924 - August 30, 2012
Obituary
Mariner’s #1 fan, Connie Davis, passes away.
Connie Davis, (pictured here in the uniform of her beloved Mariners), passed away August 30th at the Franciscan Hospice House in University Place, WA. She was 88.
Leola Corrine Dowling was born March 29, 1924 in Stevensville, MT, the third of five children born to Fred and Ruby Dowling. She attended public schools in several different states in the northwest and graduated from Milwaukie High School in Milwaukie, OR. It was there she first met her husband, Lon Davis, who then left school early and joined the Navy where he was deployed in the South Pacific for most of the war. Before they were married in 1945, Connie served as a maternity ward aide in the WAVE’s. Connie lived in Montana, Napa, CA, and then Milwaukie and Oak Grove, OR during the early years of her marriage before relocating her family to Seattle in 1960. Lon had agreed to manage Johnstone Supply, an appliance parts and HVAC supplier, and within four years they had begun to purchase the business. They built a week-end home at Alderbrook golf course in Union, WA in 1973 and spent their winters riding snowmobiles and their summers playing golf. In 1990 they moved into a new home bordering Fairwood Golf & CC in Renton, WA.
In 1969 Connie bought her first baseball season tickets to the Seattle Pilots and when the Mariners began play April 6, 1977, in the Kingdome, Connie was there too. For many years she had two seats right on the field next to 3rd base. She could always be spotted, often with her good friend, Verna McDonald, dressed in a Mariner fans jacket with headphones on listening to the game broadcast by Dave Niehaus. As her mobility decreased she moved up where she wouldn’t have to deal with the stairs. In 1999 when the team moved to Safeco she got seats on the Terrace Club level above the Mariner’s dugout and 1st base. In the 90’s Connie bought a house in El Mirage, AZ just 20 minutes from the Mariners spring training site in Peoria, so she could see the team and prospects before the season started. She looked forward to the season ticket holders gatherings and just a month ago, a couple of weeks before her death; she was invited to and attended a Hall of Fame luncheon at Safeco.
Beside her love affair with the Mariner’s and her grandchildren Connie enjoyed cruising. She made many friends over the years on these trips and came to especially enjoy the Alaska cruises with the Gaither singers.
Connie had five children; MG (66) lives in Union, WA with his wife Liz, Karen Jo (died at birth), James Lonson (63) resides in Myrtle Creek, OR with his wife Pam, Robert Fred (61) has a home in Auburn, WA, and Sandra Corrine Head (60) who with husband Bill live in Gig Harbor, WA. She also counted among her immediate family, five grandchildren (Jeffrey, Cherie, Camden, Kelsie, and Colby) and six great-grandchildren (Kyle, Ashleigh, Erynn, Conner, Andrew, and Jordan).
Connie had five siblings, four of whom preceded her in death. George, died as a youngster, Winifred (Hayward, CA) passed away in 1953, David, Connie’s beloved younger brother (Lodi, CA), died in 2009 and a younger sister, Jane, (Pueblo West, CO) passed away just days after Connie.
Connie lived a rich and full life and there are many memories from family and friends. Thankful good wishes from the family go out to among others; The Seattle Mariners staff, the staff and residents of the Chateau Valley Center, Manor Care Rehabilitation Facility staff, and the Franciscan Hospice House staff. Ms. Suzy Lattanzio along with Sandy and Jim Rodriquez are especially appreciated for their loving attention to Connie.
Connie’s ashes will be laid to rest at Washington Memorial Park in SeaTac next to her husband of 51 years, Lonson Grant (Lonnie) Davis who preceded her in death in 1996.
Pastor Jim Head-Corliss will conduct a memorial service at 2pm on October 20th at Gig Harbor United Methodist Church, 7400 Pioneer Way, Gig Harbor, WA 98335. The family asks that remembrances be titled “In memory of Connie Davis” and directed to The RBI Club c/o The Seattle Mariners, PO Box 4100, Seattle, WA 98194
Mom,
I miss you so very much, but I feel blessed to have spent so much time with you, especially in the last couple of months. We have so many wonderful memories that we shared. The times spent together laughing, crying, and just plain being silly will stay with me forever. Thank you for all the opportunities you made possible for me and thank you for never giving up on me. I love you so much and I look forward to the day we will reunite.
Lovingly, Your daughter, Sandee
Connie you will so be missed by all. Tim will miss going to the Mariner games.
I remember being at your house when I was in High School playing card games. I miss that time so much.
we love and miss you so much.
Sandee, i know what your going through. I went through that 16 years ago. I remember the Fri and Sat. nites at your house by Westwood. Those are tiems that connot be forgotten. Your mom was a wonderful person and had tha heart of gold. She will be missed but never forgotten. Sandee, you and your family will be in our prayers duing thses hard times.
What a “Great Lady’. We were honored to be a part of
her life. Rest in peace dear Connie. We will always
remember that smile, and twinkle in your eyes. God
Bless.
Our love and prayers, Jorja and Mike.
We loved Connie & will really miss her. We met Connie & Sandee on an Alaskan Cruise over 10 yrs. ago. One of the many fun times we had was surprising her for lunch at Spiffy’s in Chaeles. From the first time we met her she has been a special person in our lives. She & I shared a love for lighthouses & even bought jackets alike on one of our cruises & didn’t know it until we got back on the ship. We often went shopping together at ports of call. She was a great lady & made a very special impact on our lives.
Our sincerest sympathy to all her family.
Was truly Blessed to have met Ms Connie, she will be missed.
I met Connie through Mary Kay Cosmetics. She was such a sweet and loving lady. Every time I would see her, she always had some love a big hug and a kiss for me, I’m so honored to have met Connie and shared a piece of her life with me.
So sorry for your loss, Sandee! Connie was such a big part of your and Bill’s life! My hope is that you find peace in the knowledge that Connie is at home plate now and suffers no more. That you find love in your memories! And know your friends and family will be here at those times when you miss her most! She had a very fortunate life- especially since you were her daughter.
Much love to all of you!
Go with Love Connie, you were the best mother-in-law.
You will always be remembered for your warm smile and generous heart.
May you RIP.
I will always remember Connie’s broad smile which is so vibrantly captured in the photo above as well as her love for the Mariners. Thank you, Connie, for sharing the tickets to Felix’ perfect game! I know you wanted to be there! My wife, Jan, and I hold you, Sandee, and all the family in our prayers.
My prayers are with you.We love you guys so much .Anita/Becky too
So sad for your loss Sandee. I know how close you were to your momma. May you find peace and comfort in all the wonderful times you shared with her. God is so good to meet us at the darkest times of life and give us hope in seeing our loved ones again giving us understanding of true sweet sorrow in their passing. I love you and pray for your family at this time. Be blessed, Diane
Sorry for your families loss. I still miss my Mother and think of
her often. My prayers are with you and yours. Love Peggy
Grandma Coe,
I am missing you so much right now. I know you are in a better place and feeling no pain, but it doesnt change the fact that you are missed and there is an hole in my heart. We had such great times and I will always remember all of the special things we did together, Spring Training, Mariner Games, Gaither Concerts, Sunday night Disney movies when I was young, going to the Puyallup Fair… and so many others. I was so blessed to have you as my Grandma! I hope you are reunited with Grandad, Uncle Dave, Auntie Jane, Mammo and Pappo, and everyone else so special to your heart. I know you will keep a watchful eye on me and the kids like you always have 🙂 You will be my special angel. I love you ~ Cherie’
Grandma, I miss you so much, you were an amazing grandma… every day i think about what my drive is to finish school and it always brings me back to you and saying “are you going to school” “i want you to graduate” and i just think about that every day when i get up. i took over custody of Mary the lamb. and thank you for everything i have some nice memories of Hawaii and Alaska. pretty amazing glad i got to spend the time with you. no one else i would have rather of been with. I miss you!!!! You will Always be my little Lighthouse.
I love you! Ashleigh
Auntie Coe,
Miss you and love you. Now your sister Jane has joined you and your brother, Dave and sister Winifred, Mommo and Poppo. Bella and many others are in the great cloud of witnessed mentioned in Hebrews. Thank you for your many kindnesses. I know your are enjoying your eternity with Jesus. See you “soon” hopefully.
Your niece, Jeri