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 born in Chicago and 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 where she received her teaching degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Kathleen stayed in San Francisco teaching kindergarten. She met her ‘Billy” in Cognashene, the cottage area in Georgian Bay where both their families had cottages. They began a beautiful loving relationship that spanned 60 years. Kathleen’s adventurous spirit led her to accept Billy’s marriage proposal, leave her life in San Francisco, move to Brampton and set up her own “family kindergarten” for his four young children. Their youngest daughter Meg was born later that year, and their family was complete. Kathleen was able to find that sometimes elusive balance between raising her family, supporting her husband’s career and pursuing her own interests. She regularly attended continuing education courses in literature at the University of Toronto, enriching and sharing her love of reading with others. Kathleen was equally passionate about live theatre and attended performances all over the province. But her greatest joy was classical music. As a Board Member and patron of the Canadian Opera Company and a patron of the Women’s Musical Club of Toronto, she actively contributed to the growth and vibrancy of the arts and culture in Ontario.

Kathleen was a woman of great strength, kindness, and resilience and she lived a life filled with love, laughter and adventure. Throughout her years, Kathleen touched the lives of many with her warmth, compassion, and wisdom forming very special 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. She was widely loved for always fulfilling 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(William) 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. 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.

A Celebration of Life is being held on January 24, 2025 at Lionhead Golf Club from 2-5. Family and friends will be sharing their remembrances about Kathleen starting at 2:30 followed by a reception 

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

Click Here to Donate to the Women's Musical Club of Toronto

Click Here to Donate to the Georgian Bay Land Trust