Ann Mcilree Davis

Ann McIlree Davis was born November 15, 1927 in Honolulu. Her father was Paul L. McIlree, vice-president, treasurer and general manager of the Honolulu Star Bulletin and president of the Honolulu Lithograph Company. His father was owner-publisher of a newspaper in West Union, Iowa and mayor/postmaster of that town depending on which political party was in power. Her mother, Victoria Ray Mattingly, was the daughter of Richard Mattingly, a prominent contractor, who supervised much of the construction in San Francisco’s Marina District. The three-story Mattingly home on Green Street survived the 1906 fire and earthquake.

Ann attended Hanahauoli and Punahou Schools until December 7, 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and the U.S. Army took over her school. Mrs. McIlree and Ann went to San Francisco on a troop ship with her enrolling in Hamlin School. She completed her secondary education in 1945 and graduated from Stanford University in 1949.

She taught in San Francisco schools two years, marrying Ralph Davis, an Associated Press newspaperman, in Grace Cathedral July 28, 1951.

They moved to San Bernardino, where she was president of the Children’s Home Society Auxiliary and a parishioner of St. John’s Episcopal Church.

In 1953 they lived in Tokyo with their young son, Philip, acquiring a deeper appreciation for life in the United States.

Three years later they moved to Redlands where she was a founding member of the new Children’s Home Society Auxiliary and Bonnes Meres.

She was active in the Trinity Episcopal Church guilds, PTA, YWCA, a member of the Board of Family Service Association and a member and volunteer at the Friends of the Library (A.K. Smiley Public Library).

Predeceased are her husband and son Philip.

Survivors are her two sons Peter (Serena) and Martin (Jane) of Redlands; two daughters Sara (Michelle) of Los Gatos and Beth Kolpien of Redlands; eight grandchildren Kelsey Davis, Kiernan Snedigar, Will Davis, Jimmy Davis, Ben Davis, Mary Davis, Emily Kolpien, Matthew Kolpien: and a great grandchild Willow Snedigar.

In lieu of flowers, donations to A.K. Smiley Public Library, 125 West Vine Street, Redlands 92372 or the Museum of Redlands, 700 Brookside Avenue, Redlands 92373 are suggested.

Services will be June 9th 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal, 419 South Fourth Street, Redlands. A reception will follow at the Redlands Country Club. Burial will be private.