Shirleymae Davis OBITUARY
Shirleymae Davis OBITUARY
Shirleymae Davis, a longtime La Jolla attorney and community member, ed away peacefully on May 12, 2025 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
While she was small in stature, Shirleymae lived a big life. She became an attorney back when that was not a “woman’s place” – especially as a working mother – and she always volunteered her time and talent to make a positive impact on her communities throughout her life, until she was no longer able. And she was a true dog lover; not only her own dogs over the years (whom she adored), but she couldn’t a pup without stopping to pet them.
Born in Beloit, Wisconsin to Earl and Geneva Davis, she attended Beloit Memorial High School and Marquette University. Shirleymae received her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago Law School, where she later returned as a professor. She began her career and family in Chicago, moving to La Jolla in 1978.
Shirleymae was a very active member of the La Jolla community that she loved so deeply. She was a founding member of the La Jolla Bar Association, serving on its board of directors for many years. She helped to bring music to the Cove as part of La Jolla Concerts by the Sea throughout most of its original 1984-2016 run and was President of the organization for the final decade plus. In addition to her behind-the-scenes organizing work, she could be found at Scripps Park at nearly every concert, selling raffle tickets and helping the team make sure that everything ran smoothly. Over the years, she was also active in local service organizations such as Soroptimists International of La Jolla and La Jolla Kiwanis. She was very committed to her Catholic faith, serving on the parish council at All Hallows Catholic Church. She was also a lector at All Hallows and at Mary Star of the Sea and Our Mother of Confidence parishes.
She is survived by her rescue dog, Bonita, and her children: Fr. Timothy Howe SJ of San Juan, Puerto Rico, BA Davis-Howe of Urbana, IL, and Laura (Richard) DeBell (nee Howe) of Escondido, CA, as well as Gordana “Goca” Cantrak Jevremovic of Cacak, Serbia. Goca ed the family as an exchange student in 1983 and remained in Shirleymae’s heart as her daughter ever since. Shirleymae is also survived by two beloved grandchildren: Kellen Arthur Dion and Valerie Rayne Dion. She was preceded in death by her brother, Arthur Cross [Patty] Davis and sister, Jean Ann [Johnny] Renier.
Services will be held on Saturday, June 7th at All Hallows Catholic Church, 6602 La Jolla Scenic Drive South in La Jolla. The Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00am followed by a Celebration of Life party in the adjacent parish hall immediately following at approximately 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the San Diego Humane Society (www.SDHumane.org) or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).
