Sally May Davies
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Long time Hudson resident Sally May (Von Gunten) Davies passed away peacefully on December 3, 2020 at the Laurel Lake retirement community at the age of 89. Sally was born on March 29, 1931 in Akron, Ohio to Herman Elmer Von Gunten and Anna Maria (Vlaikavitz) Von Gunten. She was raised from birth by her uncle, Christian Wilhelm "Chris" Von Gunten and his wife, Mabel May (Sturgeon) Von Gunten. After graduating from Ohio University where she was a Chi Omega and one of the first women to receive a business degree from OU, she married Robert "Bob" Davies on November 8, 1952 in Akron, Ohio. They settled in South Euclid where she worked as the Assistant to the Comptroller of Parker Appliance. Sally and Bob moved to Hudson in 1961 where Sally worked as a teacher's aide in Hudson schools for over 25 years. She delighted in her ability to communicate with and nurture children, not just her own, but her students and the many teens she mentored well into her 80's. A member of Hudson's First Congregational Church, she was active in many areas and served as both a Deaconess, a Deacon and also a Stephens Minister. In her retirement, she volunteered for numerous organizations including hospice for many years and became an active resident of Laurel Lake where she led the Newcomer's Committee and was awarded the Joseph M. Lawler Leadership Award for Outstanding Service and Leadership from the Laurel Lake Foundation in 2015.
Known for her exuberant spirit, colorful outfits and Chuck Taylor shoes, Sally was at her happiest with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, sipping a glass of red wine, knitting sweaters and hats for those in need, vacationing at the family cottage in Huntsville, Ontario, or curled up with a book from The Learned Owl. Her zest for life and indomitable spirit will be missed but will live on through all those she touched. Sally is survived by daughters Susan Leslie Guy (Steven) of Beaufort, South Carolina, Jill Leslie Davies of Melbourne, Florida, and son John Christian Davies (Colleen) of Cincinnati, Ohio; grandchildren Kristen Guy (Jean), David Guy, Kyle Yarbrough (Katelyn), Glynn Yarbrough, Madison Davies and Mason Davies; great grandchildren Everett Guy-Payton, Sydney Guy-Payton, Grayson Yarbrough and Mackenzie Yarbrough. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Leslie "Bob" Davies; "sister" Dorothy Elizabeth "Dody" Von Gunten; two birth brothers, Wilford Herman and Sterling Daniel "Jack;" and three birth sisters, Lucille Marilyn Johnson, Ethel Marie Ehmka, and Margaret Anne Hart. A celebration of life ceremony will take place at the First Congregational Church of Hudson at a later date. Memorial donations celebrating Sally's life can be made to the First Congregational Church of Hudson or the Laurel Lake Foundation. Arrangements by Johnson-Romito Funeral Home, Hudson, OH. www.johnsonromito.com