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Florissant Mourns Passing of Rosemary Davision, City’s ‘First Lady’
Florissant Mourns
Passing of
Rosemary Davision
City’s ‘First Lady’
Dies at age 96th after moving to Arizona
Word spread swiftly locally through social media on the death if Rosemary Straub Davison, often referred to as The First Lady of Florissant. Shewas a cherished Florissant citizen and distinguished historian whose historic structure preservation efforts and accomplishments have been an inspiration for all to appreciate Florissant Valley’s lengthy History.
Rosemary died peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at her brother’s home in Arizona. She just recently celebrated her 96th birthday with close friends and family in Florisssant before moving to Arizona. No word as of Thursday morning on services.
For 55 years she has been committed to serving the Florissant community by preserving historically significant homes and buildings that helped shape the City of Florissant. She was the first female lawyer from Monroe County, MO. Her and husband Leslie Davison worked together for the Department of Justice before moving to Florissant in 1958.
Rosemary was a member of the Board of Freeholders before serving as the city clerk from 1963-1979. She was a founding member of the Missouri Hertiage Trust, Florissant Valley Historical Society, Friends of Old St. Ferdinand, Hertiage Foundation, and Historic Florissant, Inc. She is also the author of the book Florissant, that was published in 2002.
For a number of years in the 1950s through the 1970s she was a columnist for the old Florissant Valley Reporter writing under the name of Lee Mercer.
“Mrs. Davison was the city clerk when I was hired by Mayor Eagan in 1976 and when I was elected to the council in 1979.,” Mayor Tom Schneider said in a statement. “I always had the highest admiration, respect and appreciation for Rosemary and her efforts to preserve the rich history of the beautiful City of Florissant in the Valley of Flowers. We will miss her ideas, wit and challenges to advance the progress of the city”
