It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Kathy Jean Davis, aged 68, who passed away on July 11, 2024, at Peppi’s Hospice House in Tucson, AZ following a courageous battle with cancer.
Kathy was born on September 7, 1955, in Woodruff, WI, the daughter of Tom and Helen Chuckel of Eagle River, WI. She attended St. Peter’s grade school and graduated from Eagle River High School in 1973. After high school, Kathy was awarded a scholarship to attend Columbia College of Nursing in Milwaukee, WI where she earned her registered nursing degree upon graduation. She later attended the University of Arizona, graduating from the Nurse Practitioner Masters Program. Kathy’s career spanned many facets of the nursing profession where she lovingly touched countless lives. Her personality was perfect for the career she chose – patient, kind, gentle, caring, confident, respectful, reliable, and definitely an advocate for her patients.
Kathy’s employment as a nurse was spent in various hospital settings early in her career. The medical field offered many opportunities for her and she began working at the University of Arizona as a clinical and research nurse in the Pain Fellowship Program. Her interest in pain management led her to become the co-founder/business partner of the Integrative Pain Center of Arizona in 2002. In recent years, she was a faculty member of the Weitzman Institute Pain ECHO Program which provides primary care telemedicine, pain, and behavioral health training. Prior to her death, she was employed at El Rio Community Health Center as a Pain Care Specialist in a primary care setting, treating patients with chronic pain in the clinic. In her leadership position, she was instrumental in the development of El Rio’s pain care program. Kathy was also a longtime board member of the Southern Arizona Advanced Practitioner Society. She loved everything about her career opportunities, and everyone loved, admired, and respected her in return.
In her free time, Kathy enjoyed spending time with her awesome family. Her grandchildren held a special place in her heart, and she treasured every occasion she had to interact with them, particularly making Christmas cookies with her Arizona grandchildren and being part of many enjoyable activities with her Minnesota grandchildren on her visits there. Kathy beamed with pride every time she talked about her eight grand-kiddos! She loved riding her Harley up Mt. Lemon, hiking in the beautiful mountainous areas of Arizona and every occasion life had to offer her to be in the great outdoors. She was an avid runner and an accomplished marathoner, finishing 12 full marathons in her lifetime. She also loved yoga, traveling, cheering on the University of Arizona football and basketball teams, and never forgot about her allegiance to the Green Bay Packers as a fan. Kathy often visited Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) Mexico where she could relax and enjoy what this destination on the Sea of Cortes had to offer, a little bit of paradise.
Kathy is lovingly survived by her soul mate, Dr. Bennet Davis and his children, Rhys and Matt; her children: Clint (Ashley) Davis, Ian Davis and Jamie (Scott) Kaihoi; grandchildren: Sydney and Carley Davis, Braydon and Charlotte Davis, Jonas, Charis, Bria, and Cora Kaihoi; brothers: Joe (Sue) Chuckel; Tom (Karen) Chuckel; Jesse (Jessica) Chuckel and Matthew Chuckel; sisters: Helene Rosner; Connie (Dan) Marsh; Julee (Doug) Davis and Ginger (Roger) Stanek; father of her children, Steve Davis; many nieces, nephews, friends and coworkers. She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother-in-law, Mike Rosner.
Friends and family are invited to gather at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 1800 N Camino Pio Decimo, Tucson, AZ, on Saturday, August 10th, at 10:00 am for a memorial Mass of Christian Burial. Condolences can be sent to the Davis family at 2092 E Calle de Dulcinea, Tucson, AZ 85718. A Kathy Davis Memorial Scholarship for Nurse Practitioners will be established in the future.
Words cannot express how much Kathy will be missed. She will live on in our hearts forever. We will cherish every memory we have and continue to celebrate her life and the legacy she left behind. As hard as it is to lose her, we understand she is now in God’s hands and has been welcomed “home” by many members of her loving family.
