Virginia Lou Davis

MISSOULA – Virginia Lou Davis, 88, of Missoula passed away Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, at Village Health Care Center of natural causes.

Virginia, or Lou as she liked to be called, was born on Nov. 24, 1923, in Caldwell, Idaho, to Horace "Art" and Peg Milliner. As a young girl, she lived in the hospital that her mother owned and operated in Caldwell.

At Caldwell High School, she was a member of the Quill and Scroll Club, the school newspaper editor and a member of National Honor Society.

Lou attended Northwestern, Whitman and the University of Montana, focusing on journalism and accounting.

On Oct. 5, 1947, she married Don L. Davis, also of Caldwell. The couple lived in Peoria, Ill., where Don attended watchmaking school. After finishing, they moved to Anaconda, starting Davis Jewelers. In 1965, Lou and Don bought the old B&H Jewelers in Missoula, continuing the family business known as Don L. Davis Jewelers.

Lou was first and foremost a Griz fan. Being on campus, working out at the New Directions program, she got to meet various Griz players, who enjoyed giving her birthday presents such as autographed shirts, etc. She loved bowling, and was a member of many leagues at the Anaconda Copper Bowl and in Missoula as well. She enjoyed playing bridge and hosted many bridge parties. Knitting was a beloved pastime, and the family has many needlepoint creations from her as well. As she aged, reading became a full-time pasttime. Oh how she loved a good murder mystery!

Travel was a real treat. Lou and Don traveled to Greece and Spain, and later she took other exotic trips with both her daughter Samye and sister-in-law Catherine Hurd of Great Falls. In 2011, she even attended her 75th high school class reunion in Caldwell, and was able to share many memories with her friends and classmates.

Lou truly loved a good joke, and was a very outgoing and confident person with a fabulous smile. She was loved by everyone that knew her.

Survivors include her children, Douglas (Anna) of Stevensville and Samye of San Diego. Grandchildren include Andrew Davis (Jackie) of Rapid City, S.D., and Tracy Hubing (Andy) of Missoula.

The family suggests memorials to the Humane Society of Western Montana, one of Lou's favorite organizations. Its address is 5930 Highway 93 S. Missoula, MT 59804.

Read Virginia Davis's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.