Laura Vaclavek Davis

Laura Vaclavek Davis, age 96 of Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania, Saratoga, California and Charlottesville, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. She was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and is the daughter of the late Michael and Cora Vaclavek. Laura attended Macalester College, was a first-grade teacher, active volunteer in her community, and avid animal lover, but her proudest accomplishment was her family.

Loving wife of Philip Davis; mother of Kimberly (Michael) Jehle and Katherine (Ian) Hill; sister of the late Elsie Forshier; grandmother of Kathryn (Devin) Keber, Christine (Conor) Tompkins and Chandler (Charlie Lichtenfels) Hill; great-grandmother of Anthony and Lindsey Keber.

Laura cherished every moment shared with family and truly loved being a part of our lives. Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday as she had the opportunity to cook with her girls, laugh together, play board games with her grandchildren (and later great-grandchildren), watch the dog show, drink great wine and toast to the blessing that was being together. Laura’s infectious kindness put all she met immediately at ease. She always saw the best in people and her focus on the positive was unwavering. She loved to share in other people’s journey, often lunching with her husband and friends, shopping with her daughters, attending chair yoga, and FaceTiming with her great-grandchildren.

In her heyday, you could find Laura out on a walk in the California sunshine, playing a rousing game of backyard croquet, mulling over a crossword puzzle, sipping coffee or Chardonnay on the patio, taking a late-night dip in the spa, or snuggled up to enjoy popcorn and a movie. She loved to travel, garden, laugh until she cried, and was always willing to read the longest bedtime story in the book.

As Laura reflected on her amazing 96 years, she shared stories of playing as a child in the orchard of her uncle’s farm with her sister, reminisced about summers together in California, imparted words of wisdom for raising children, and told absolutely everyone she encountered what a wonderful family she had. Brave, strong and incredibly loving until the very end, Laura will be deeply missed as the heart of the family she loved so dearly.

Private arrangements were entrusted to Pittsburgh Cremation & Funeral Care, Robinson Township, PA.