Dr. Pat M. Davis

Born on June 4, 1942, in Kannapolis, North Carolina, Pat held a lifelong passion for learning. As the first college graduate in her family, she earned a Ph.D. in Instructional Design, a Master of Public Administration from The Pennsylvania State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Western Carolina University. She spent her early career as a social worker in North Carolina reflecting her commitment to service. Pat was also a gifted writer and she self-published a novel and a cookbook. She also spent many years designing and creating interactive travel books for young children visiting Washington, D.C., a place that she loved to visit.

Pat found joy in life’s quiet pleasures—reading mysteries and literature, watching classic films and musicals, attending live theater, and watching birds with her two cats, Scarlett and Darcy. She loved travel and had been to over 40 countries on six continents. She shared her love of travel with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She also loved watching football and cheered on the Nittany Lions whenever they played.

She is survived by her husband, Donald D. Davis, and their six children: Jeffrey Davis and his wife Sharon Davis, Matthew Davis, Nathaniel Davis, Paige Castellanos and her husband Armando Castellanos, Dominique Davis and her husband Theo Shomsky, and Kylie Davis and her grandchildren: Giovanni Polanco, Milo Davis, Liam Myers, Madeleine Castellanos, Zooey Chandler, Xavier Castellanos, and Zander Shomsky.

Her presence will be deeply missed by all who had the honor of knowing her.