Beth Ann Davisson (nee Castle), born in Weymouth, Massachusetts on Nov. 22, 1952, passed away on June 2, 2018 at her home in Silverton. She was 65.
She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Bill Davisson; daughters Amy Galetzka (John), Rachel Davisson, and Sarah Davisson; son Brett Davisson (Jena); grandchildren Paige, Maggie, Ashlyn, Hunter and Nadia; and four siblings, Ruth-Lynn Lute, Larry Castle, Les Castle and David Castle.
After living in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Southern California, Beth moved with her family to Silverton in 1964. She graduated from Silverton Union High School in 1970 and then attended Western Oregon University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in education in 1974 and her Master of Science in Education in 1993.
Over the next 37 years, she taught and served at Bethany Elementary (3rd and 4th grade), Eugene Field (1st grade), Keizer Elementary (vice-principal and principal), and Robert Frost Elementary (principal).
In 2010, Beth was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. She underwent surgery and treatment, successfully battling the disease for eight years.
Beth was a multi-talented individual. She was a wonderful musician, often performing in her own inimitable style at school and civic functions. Her community involvement was expansive, and included Rotary, Legacy Silverton Health, and Silver Falls Family YMCA. For many years, she helped organize the Silverton Senior Olympics with her mother. She was recognized for her service in the community by being named Silverton First Citizen for 2011.
She enjoyed traveling, Sudoku, Words with Friends and a good game of cards or Trivial Pursuit. It was, however, her personality that endeared her to her friends and community. She was smart, kind, compassionate, witty and generous. Those that knew her loved her.
While her list of accomplishments is extensive, her family says she was first and foremost a loving wife to her husband, beloved mother to her children, and a faithful, committed Christian woman. She served in music and church ministry; playing piano, singing, as well as leading women’s ministry and Vacation Bible School. She attended Bible Study Fellowship for many years. Beth lived out her strong belief in the Bible’s essential truths by loving everyone as her neighbor. The fruits of the Spirit were evident in the way she lived her life and treated others. She believed that God directed and blessed her life, and that her future was secured.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 16 at 1 p.m. at Emmanuel Bible Church, 8512 Sunnyview Road NE, Salem.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Silverton Rotary Foundation (www.silvertonrotary.com), or online to The Thai Christian Foundation (www.thaichristianfoundation.org/donate) or Emmanuel Bible Church
(www.ebcsalem.com/giving/index.html). Arrangements were made by Unger Funeral Chapel.
