Jean Marie Davis

Jean Marie Davis (née Switalski) died peacefully at Cumberland House Hospice on July 12, 2022 in Crossville, TN at the age of 68. Jean is survived by her husband, Michael Davis; children, Naomi LeBeau (Kara) of Oakland, CA, Ruth LeBeau (Eli) of Petaluma, CA, and Hannah LeBeau (Austin) of Denver, CO; step-children, John Davis (Alex) of Palmetto, FL, and Michelle Novak (Adrian) of Redding, CA; siblings, Mark Switalski (Jodi) of Harrison Twp., MI, Patricia "Katy" Van der Veer (David) of Ellicott City, MD, Michael "Mickey" Switalski (Roma) of Roseville, MI, Monica "Moe" Krebs of Columbia, MD, Edythe "Edye" Wright (Larry) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, and Matthew Switalski (Rebecca) of Clinton Twp., MI, in-laws Chris Dubey (Dan) of Ishpeming, MI, and Larry Davis (Suni) of Sutton's Bay, MI. Jean had 3 grandsons, and 3 step-grandchildren. She loved them and often bemoaned the fact that they all lived so far away. She loved getting photos and videos of them, which she would watch again and again. She is preceded in death by her father, Norbert Michael Switalski, and mother, Nancy Ann (McDonnell) Switalski. Jean was born on her parents' third anniversary, July 29, 1953 in Detroit, MI to Nancy and Norb Switalski. She grew up in Roseville, MI, a suburb of Detroit. She often said that she had an idyllic childhood: loving parents, lots of kids on her street, a good bike, and a perfect best friend, Judy MacDonald. She graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1971 where she developed a number of enduring friendships. "The girls" (friends Sher Kayl, Merna (Deschryver) Smith, and Carol (Lamb) Martus) would get together with Jean any time they were able. Jean's 50 th high school reunion was held in August 2021, and she proudly attended. She continued her education at Mercy School of Nursing of Detroit and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1976. She loved her profession, practicing for over 40 years in Critical Care, Cardiac Care, ER, and Cardiac Cath Lab. She loved teaching, and took opportunities to educate other nurses at national seminars and hospitals. She developed and taught seminars throughout the eastern United States along with her dear friend and mentor, Suzanne Wilson, as part of CHES, an educational affiliate of Mount Clemens General Hospital. She especially enjoyed her time as Critical Care instructor at Woodland Heights Medical Center from which she retired. She married her "forever sweetheart" Michael Davis, a physician assistant, in 1998. Although Mike, a career Navy man, was a staunch conservative and Jean much more liberal than he, they found some balance in each other. Jean kept the challenge of change alive in Mike, and he grounded her with common sense and history. It was good for both of them. Upon Mike's retirement from the military, they lived and worked in a number of states. Finally, in 2018, Jean and Mike retired to Crossville, TN. Very soon after retiring, Jean was diagnosed with cancer. Despite her illness, the couple made many friends and enjoyed fantastic times together. They traveled, cruised, and visited family and friends around the US. They could often be seen walking down their street holding hands and chatting. Jean loved cooking and showed her affection with food. She always said that a recipe was just a list of suggestions for what might go into a dish. She loved hosting extended family Thanksgiving dinners in Michigan, dance and music parties in Van Horn, TX, themed dinner parties in Lufkin, TX, and relaxing "chew and chat" nights with friends in Crossville, TN. She was a witty and fun-loving individual who truly enjoyed being with people. She believed that each person had a good story to tell, and that it was worth listening to and exploring. She was a woman who was passionate about anything she did. In Michigan, she was part of the community playhouse in Port Austin. Her favorite roles were Grandma Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof, and Corrie's Mother, Mrs. Banks in Barefoot in the Park. She painted murals on walls and furniture, decorated her dining room table for each changing season and holiday, and edited three books that her mother self-published. Her mom once told her that she could do anything she set her mind to. Jean always believed her mama, so would try her hand at anything that interested her. And most often, she met with success. Jean was very thankful for her life. She felt that she was blessed with immeasurably more than she deserved. "You choose joy," she would say. "The way you live your life is a choice. You are in charge." There will be no funeral or visitation. A Celebration of Jean's Life will be held on October 29, 2022 in Roseville, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to University of Tennessee Cancer Institute at https:/www.utmedicalcenter.org/give-now/ or a check can be mailed to Hospice of Cumberland County 30 E. Adams Street, Crossville, TN 38555. Condolences can be sent to Mike Davis at sailorpac@gmail.com. The family would like to thank family, friends, UT Cancer Institute personnel, and Hospice of Cumberland County for their love, effort, care, and dedication.