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Florissant Remembers the Life

of the‘First Lady’ of Florissant

                                   by Pat Lindsey

Friends of Rosemary Davison are sharing their fondest

memories of Florissant’s “First Lady” as plans are being made for her memorial service at Old St. Ferdinand Shrine on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 10 a.m. Mrs. Davison died on Sept. 23 in Prescott, AZ shortly after moving there to be with her brother, Richard Straub.

Long-time friend and fellow historian Mary Kay Gladbach

said, “Rosemary had the ability to lead and motivate. Her talent was working with people and was evident in the success of her endeavors.” Gladbach described Rosemary “ as a friend to her church, her family, her community, human rights, justice and equality, those in need, and historic preservation.” Just a few weeks ago, “Rosemary told me of another house that needed to be rescued and preserved.”

Rance Thomas, president of North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice, expressed his feelings for the loss of his friend of more than 15 years by saying, “We are very fortunate to come to know someone during our lifetime who is totally committed and dedicated to improving the lives of others. I was very blessed to have known one such person and that was Rosemary Davison.”

Gretchen Crank, president of Historic Florissant, Inc., regards Davison as her mentor, advisor, and best friend. Davison was known for thinking of projects to benefit the city. Crank remembered, “Even at the age of 92 or 93, she’d say to me, ‘You know, here’s what we really need to do…’” Those typical Davison ideas led to the reestablishment of the Green Line Tour and a 150^th birthday celebration for the Gittemeier House in 2010, among other projects. “I will miss her every day and will do my best to keep Historic Florissant, Inc. operating the way she’d want me to.”

Another close friend of 55 years, Rosie Vierdag, recalls her work at the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine, as an OASIS volunteer for local schools, and Rosemary’s service to Room at the Inn. “She never said no to volunteering and no one could say no to her eitheron volunteering.”

“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,” Florissant 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 Florissant.” Rosemary Davison was the first female attorney from Ralls County MO and was a deputy U.S. Marshal in St. Louis in the 1940s when she met her future husband, Leslie.

Davison helped establish the Florissant Valley Historical Society, the Heritage

Foundation, the Friends of Old St. Ferdinand, the Friends of Brush Creek St. Peters Church, Florissant Old Town Partners, and Historic Florissant, Inc. She also helped establish the Florissant Valley of Flowers Festival and the annual Florissant historic house tours. Davison is the author of several books on the history of Florissant and of her family.

A public memorial mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Sat., Oct. 18 at Old St. Ferdinand Shrine, #1 rue St. Francois, Florissant. Mass offerings or donations are sought to any of the afore-mentioned nonprofit organizations to which Davison dedicated her life’s work. Interment of ashes will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery later

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