Mathilda Marie "Tillie" Davis

Mathilda Marie “Tillie” Davis, 90, of Fallbrook, died June 13, 2013. She was born March 16, 1923 in Arhus, Denmark. Services are being held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 22, at Berry-Bell and Hall Mortuary. Interment will be held at Fallbrook Masonic Cemetery.

She is survived by one brother; her sons, Walter Christensen of Las Vegas, Nev., Hubert E. Davis Jr. of Temecula, Michael J. Davis of Sausalito; step-sons Gary L. Davis of Rock Falls, Iowa, and Virgil E. Davis of Mason City, Iowa; step-daughters Judith A. Van Dahl of Liberty, Mo., and Jeanette M. Logan of Nora Springs, Iowa; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Marie was 5 years old when her family immigrated from Arthus, Denmark through Ellis Island in 1928. The family purchased a farm in Iowa only to lose it after the crash and Great Depression of 1929. Growing up during the Depression instilled in her lifelong values of hard work, perseverance, living modestly, and being frugal.

Marie married her lifetime love Hubert Davis and moved to California in 1945. They were married for 50 years before Hubert died in 1994. With four children, their first rental was a 300 square foot converted barber shop on 54th and Avalon in LA. They later moved up to an older one bedroom home on East 90th St. consisting of 500 sq. ft. Life was hard and money was lean.

To improve life, Marie started working. Her first job was at Bobbin Factory Nylon Spinners, while also acting at PTA president. Marie later worked for Rockwell and Boeing for 20 years as a blueprint specialist, working on the Space Shuttle and the B-1 Bomber, in which she was invited to fly in during the maiden test flights. Her personal accomplishments are long, unique and numerous. Most of all she loved her husband and her large family. She had numerous friends and loved ones.

She loved family gatherings, camping, music and their 25-year membership in the Fallbrook Garden Club. She and Hubert built their retirement home in Fallbrook after living in Anaheim for 20 years. Their beautiful home was host to four weddings, home tours, two garden club picnics, and two family reunions. Marie wrote two genealogy books and a biography about Hubert...and so much more. One small lady that made a big difference, she will be loved and remembered.