Jan Davis honored with emeritus status from Manchester Family Services

Jan Davis, Manchester Family Services, Emeritus Volunteer. Photo courtesy of Diane Du Russel.

submitted by Diane Du Russel, Manchester Family Services

Over the years Manchester Family Services (MFS) has had many volunteers who have served faithfully from year to year. MFS felt those who had retired from helping deserved to be given the honorary title of Emeritus for the work they had accomplished. Emeritus is a Latin word from the late 17th century used to describe soldiers who had completed their duty. Or in our case, helpers who had retired from service. Last year we honored Webb Seegert, Mary Sue Moore, and Ellen O’Sullivan. This year on Wednesday, May 21, MFS was pleased to honor Jan Davis with Emeritus status.

Janet Elizabeth Davis was born in Detroit in 1936 to Scottish and German parents. She graduated from EMU with a Master’s Degree in Education and taught in Ann Arbor for 35 years, finishing at Angel School. Then Jan supervised student teachers for another 15 years for EMU. She is mom to Ellen and Martha Waara. She was married for 47 years to David Davis; together they raised their grandson, Joshua.

Jan Davis was a two-term councilwoman in Ypsilanti, a treasurer for the Manchester Library, and an active member of the Pleasant Lake Association water-management team.

Jan’s spirit of service extended to Somalia, Africa, through the Peace Corps in 1966. She was an active member for more than 30 years of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom then turned to more local volunteering in the 21st century with the Manchester Family Service (MFS).

Jan’s 18 years of service to MFS reflected her commitment to serving her community. Her kindness in helping customers choose the best meats and cheeses with care earned her a place in their hearts. She knew their names and cared deeply about their lives and families. She took her responsibilities seriously and scheduled other things accordingly. They counted on her, so she showed up with a smile. She showed up in the morning to pack bags and stayed through the afternoon to clean up.

Jan’s eye for the special details of a patron’s outfit and compliments on the small things opened their hearts, helping them feel seen as well as served groceries. Her ability to connect gently with a positive, loving energy has been a special thread in MFS’ monthly caring comfort.

Today, MFS volunteers continue to weave a fabric of loving kindness, filling the needs of body and heart for our area by providing a solid base for fluctuating Manchester family needs.

Thank you, Jan, from our organization, which is run completely by volunteers such as yourself. We greatly appreciate the time you spent with us.

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.