Mavis Eveleen Davies died at her Malibu home on Jan. 30. She was 79.
She was born Mavis Eveleen Craig in Kilrea, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, in 1928. She lived in Great Britain throughout World War II. Ten years old when the war started, she felt the influence of blackouts, bombings and rationing. During this time, she cultivated an ability to see the humor in just about anything life threw at her.
Davies led an adventurous life. First she studied hotel management at the University of London, and then worked in her chosen career in England, Switzerland and Wales. She married her mining engineer husband, Peter, in 1955. They started a family in the mining camps in western Canada.
In 1966, Davies and her family moved to Palo Alto. There, she took up a career in journalism, winning a Service Award from the College of San Mateo for her work as editor of the college newspaper. For several years she reported on a wide range of topics for the Hillsborough Boutique and Villager. They included astronauts, developments in local schools and interviews with former NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, Alexander Haig and with the mother of Honorable Leo Ryan after he died in Jonestown. She continued her career in journalism in Malibu.
Davies was known for her generosity, friendly smile and for teaching her children to be courageous and to never feel sorry for themselves.
Davies is survived by her husband, Peter; daughter, Janet Eveleen and sons, Michael and Adrian.