Ruth
Ruth Bower Davis
d. January 17, 2015
Ruth Bower Davis, 89, formerly of Harrington passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 17th at State Street Living in Dover.
Ruth graduated from the University of Delaware in 1944 with a BS in Chemistry and went directly to work for the DuPont Co on a project for the war effort. She drove horses as a hobby and raced at Freehold in 1947 as one of very few women with a USTA driver license. Upon her marriage to Olin she became a groom and assistant trainer along with the duties of housewife and mother. In 1959 she took their undefeated 3-year old pacing filly, Quick Lady to Lexington where the filly had Grand Circuit engagements. She won both heats and remained 12 for 12 often defeating older horses and winning the District 11 Mare Pacer of the Year award.
During the 60s she obtained a Clerk of Course and a Program Director license and worked in either of those positions at Harrington, Georgetown,Brandywine, Rosecroft,and Laurel on and off over the next 40 years. She was a Director of the Delaware Standardbred Development Fund until it ended. Her favorite job was that of a runner at the Standardbred Horse Sales in Harrisburg for many years. She also was a substitute teacher in the Harrington later Lake Forest school district well into her 70s. She also had perfect attendance volunteering at Milford Hospital for many years.
A devout sports fan she watched the Eagles and Phillies even when her hearing expired. She will always be remembered for her love of animals and the Jack Russell terriers, Peanut and Holly. When she went to State Street to reside she took her cat Turtle.
Ruth is predeceased by her parents Ralph and Zoe Bower of Greenwood, a brother, Murray of Chesapeake City, MD, and the love of her life, Olin Davis who passed away in 1992.
She is survived by a daughter, Judy Davis-Wilson of Smyrna; son, Mike (Diane) of Ft. Collins, CO; and two grandchildren, Diane Wilson (Jesse Richardson) of Katy, TX and Mickey Davis (Bethany) of Frederica and one great-grandaughter, Caitlyn Davis of Middletown and many nieces and nephews.
Burial will be a private graveside ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Harness Racing Museum and HOF, 240 Main Street, Goshen, NY 10924.
Arrangements are by the Thomas E. Melvin and Son Funeral Home, visit our website at www.melvinfuneralhome.com for further information, leave a letter of condolence, or to send flowers.
Ruth graduated from the University of Delaware in 1944 with a BS in Chemistry and went directly to work for the DuPont Co on a project for the war effort. She drove horses as a hobby and raced at Freehold in 1947 as one of very few women with a USTA driver license. Upon her marriage to Olin she became a groom and assistant trainer along with the duties of housewife and mother. In 1959 she took their undefeated 3-year old pacing filly, Quick Lady to Lexington where the filly had Grand Circuit engagements. She won both heats and remained 12 for 12 often defeating older horses and winning the District 11 Mare Pacer of the Year award.
During the 60s she obtained a Clerk of Course and a Program Director license and worked in either of those positions at Harrington, Georgetown,Brandywine, Rosecroft,and Laurel on and off over the next 40 years. She was a Director of the Delaware Standardbred Development Fund until it ended. Her favorite job was that of a runner at the Standardbred Horse Sales in Harrisburg for many years. She also was a substitute teacher in the Harrington later Lake Forest school district well into her 70s. She also had perfect attendance volunteering at Milford Hospital for many years.
A devout sports fan she watched the Eagles and Phillies even when her hearing expired. She will always be remembered for her love of animals and the Jack Russell terriers, Peanut and Holly. When she went to State Street to reside she took her cat Turtle.
Ruth is predeceased by her parents Ralph and Zoe Bower of Greenwood, a brother, Murray of Chesapeake City, MD, and the love of her life, Olin Davis who passed away in 1992.
She is survived by a daughter, Judy Davis-Wilson of Smyrna; son, Mike (Diane) of Ft. Collins, CO; and two grandchildren, Diane Wilson (Jesse Richardson) of Katy, TX and Mickey Davis (Bethany) of Frederica and one great-grandaughter, Caitlyn Davis of Middletown and many nieces and nephews.
Burial will be a private graveside ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Harness Racing Museum and HOF, 240 Main Street, Goshen, NY 10924.
Arrangements are by the Thomas E. Melvin and Son Funeral Home, visit our website at www.melvinfuneralhome.com for further information, leave a letter of condolence, or to send flowers.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ruth Bower Davis, please visit our flower store.