Mary Davies

Mary K. “Kay” Davies, age 92, of Niles, Michigan died on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at West Woods of Niles following an extended illness. She was born May 3, 1920 in Beaumont, Texas to Harry & Hazel (Hutchison) Jirou.

Kay attained her pilot’s license at age 16. She was a veteran of World War II, serving as an Aviation Machinist Mate, First Class in the United States Navy. While serving in the United States Navy, she met and married her husband Harvey Davies on July 10, 1945 in Los Angles, California. He preceded her in death on September 23, 1985.

Kay was a library associate for the University of Notre Dame Library, working in the audio department. After earning an Associates Degree from the former Christian College in Missouri in her younger years, Kay pursued her Bachelors Degree from Indiana University, South Bend at the age of 75 and finally retiring from her library position in 2007 at the age of 88. She also kept busy with crafts, building model planes, trains and boats, and knitting, crocheting and quilting.

Mary was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a former member and sang with the choir at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Niles and a member of Sacred Heart Parish at Notre Dame where she also sang in the choir. Kay’s love of music showed as she learned to play the viola, classical guitar, piano, organ and numerous other instruments. She traveled extensively and had the privilege to sing in concert with the Saint Matthew’s Choir at the Vatican.

Surviving family includes her sons Douglas A. (& Kathleen) Davies of Terrace, British Columbia, Canada, Paul H. (& Kathryn)Davies of Niles, Thomas J. (& Beverly) Davies of Naples, Florida, Joseph S. (& Kimberly) Davies of Niles and Robert C. (& Stephanie) Davies of Vancouver, Washington. Kay is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, with one on the way.

She was preceded in death by her husband and brother Paul Jirou.

Funeral services for Mary K. Davies will be held at 4:00p.m. on Friday, December 21, 2012 at Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Rev. William Melody of Notre Dame, Indiana officiating. Interment will be at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont, Texas.

The family will receive relatives and friends one hour before services on Friday at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Mary K. Davies may be made to the Niles Community Library or Southern Care Hospice Inc. of Kalamazoo.