Kathleen Louise Davis

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Kathleen Davis (nee Mackay) beloved wife of former Ontario Premier William (Billy) Davis, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who peacefully left us on January 3, 2025, surrounded by her family, at the age of 91. Kathleen was raised in Hinsdale Illinois. A lifelong lover of literature and music, Kathleen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Michigan and was a very passionate Wolverines supporter her whole life. Upon graduation, she studied in Germany and then moved to San Francisco and received her teaching degree from the University of California, Berkeley.

Kathleen was a woman of great strength, kindness, and resilience and lived a life filled with love, laughter and adventures. Throughout her years, she touched the lives of many with her warmth, compassion, and wisdom and formed wonderful, life-long friendships. Kathleen played a crucial role in Billy’s career providing him with her insight and perspective on various political issues, including social justice, education and the arts and she fulfilled her public role with grace, intelligence and humour. When asked though, Kathleen always said her greatest role was raising their five children to become compassionate, community-minded individuals - Neil (Ruth), Nancy (Michael), Catherine (Abraham), Ian (Rose Marie), and Meg (Paul)—and was a very proud grandmother to 12 grandchildren and 6 great- grandchildren. She is survived by her brother William Mackay (Raymonda) and sister-in-law Molly Davis Endress (Willam) and predeceased by her parents Roland and Margaret Mackay and her sister Virginia Mackay Larson.

All her family including her many nieces and nephews and her many friends will miss her dearly but carry her memory forward in their hearts. A Celebration of Life is being planned for later this month.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Women’s Musical Club of Toronto www.wmct.on.ca or the Georgian Bay Land Trust www.gblt.org.

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to all who have offered their love and support during this difficult time.