Sally S. Davis was born in Portland in 1919 to Dr. Samuel C. Slocum, a prominent surgeon, and Virginia Delano. She attended Miss Catlin’s School, followed by the University of Washington, which she left for further study at the Parsons School of Design in NY and later the Boston Museum School. These last became the foundation for a life-long devotion to the arts and to museums.
While in Boston Sally met and married George Kennedy, a Harvard professor of Geology and Geophysics, who soon accepted a professorship at UCLA. They moved to Los Angeles in 1953 where they formed large collections of primitive art and species orchids at their homes in Pacific Palisades and Brentwood. Along with her own painting – she was a fine artist in her own right having shown her work in an exhibition at the Los Angeles Co. Museum of Art - she volunteered there as a docent, and was an active member of the Junior Art Council. She remained an active docent after moving back to Portland in 1967, and later became a member of the Board of Trustees of the Portland Art Museum.
In 1970 Sally met and married Jefferson Davis who was President of ESCO Steel Corporation and a well-respected community leader. They spent 29 very happy years together, travelling and sharing an enthusiasm for golf both at the Waverly Country Club in Portland and at their winter home at the Eldorado Country Club in the desert. They enjoyed having their children and stepchildren to family gatherings in their home, where Jeff played the piano and everyone joined in, singing or playing instruments. Jeff’s daughter Susan La Tour and her family often came from Cape Cod to be with their Portland family. Jeff passed away in 1998, and Sally eventually moved to the Mirabella retirement home. She continued to play bridge and attend events at the Multnomah Athletic Club and the Town Club.
Sally Davis passed away Saturday, January 27th 2018. Sally was predeceased by her sister Virginia Weaver of Los Angeles and her brother Dr. Donald Slocum, a renowned orthopedic surgeon from Eugene. She is survived by her three children C. Scott Kennedy, Debby Kennedy Lorenzini and Jennifer Guyler; three grandchildren Kelly Stone, Madeleine Kennedy and Gabrielle Kennedy, all of Portland; and step-daughter Susan La Tour.
There will be a Celebration of Life will be held at the Town Club on Sunday, February 11th at 1:00 PM. Remembrances – Catlin Gabel School, 8825 SW Barnes Rd, Portland, OR 97225 and the Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205.
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