Cynthia “Cindi” Catherine Davis, beloved mother to Bridgette Mary Davis and Margaret Ellen Davis, and daughter of the late Stephen G. Compton and Mary E. Kehoe, passed away peacefully on Jan. 23, 2024, after a bold and brave battle with cancer. Born in Iowa City on Sept. 9, 1954, Cindi grew up attending Catholic schools in Cedar Rapids and then earned a certificate in dental assisting from Kirkwood Community College. She was united in marriage to Jack S. Davis on May 5, 1979; they later divorced and remained friends. This union brought two loving daughters, Trudi and Becky, into her life.
Cindi’s greatest joy was raising her girls, Bridgette and Maggie. She spent countless hours supporting their pursuits —sports, arts, academics, dance, and loved watching them grow. She was deeply invested in supporting a sisterhood and lifelong friendship among Trudi, Becky, Bridgette, and Maggie. She also nurtured strong bonds with her nephews, Zach and Seth Gorman. Cindi loved being a grandmother to Claire and a great-aunt to Sam and Jake. She also delighted in her grand dogs — especially Ruthie, who brought comfort and care in her final years.
Cindi always saw the bigger picture. She worked diligently toward civic and community goals — having roles at North Scott Schools, the Donahue Post Office, Donahue City Hall, PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), Special Olympics, St. Ann’s Church, serving as a Long Grove councilperson, and until retirement working as the finance and personnel coordinator at the Scott County Library. She was incredibly proud of her work supporting young people and securing grants to beautify the City of Donahue parks and Sportsman’s Club with trees, lighting for night games, and playground equipment. She saw and invested in the potential of everyone everywhere. She modeled the importance of volunteering, voting, and being a fierce ally and reliable neighbor.
Cindi LOVED to have fun and be funny! Her friendships meant the world to her. From childhood friends to “the girls” and “the ladies,” once Cindi knew your name and your troubles, you were a friend for life. Sending cards, sharing bar snacks, and celebrating others were ways Cindi consistently showed her care. Throughout the years, she found joy with friends in countless card clubs, walking, volleyball, art classes, and travel. Each year she looked forward to traditions with friends like partying on St. Patrick’s Day, celebrating Pride, local festivals, and getting the witch hats out for Halloween. She loved to read, swim, dance, stay up late, listen to live music, and watch “Saturday Night Live.”
Cindi is survived by daughters, Bridgette Davis (Ellen Sale) of Hadley, Mass.; Margaret Davis (Ruthie), at home; Trudi Davis (Mike and Claire Edwards) and Becky Rosazza (Dave) of Iowa City; sister Beth Gorman, nephews Zach Gorman (Sarah and Brodie) and Seth Gorman (Kyl, Sam, and Jake), all of Cedar Rapids.
Her family would like to extend gratitude to her care teams at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Genesis Health System, Visiting Angels, Milestones Area Agency on Aging, Golden Goals, and the St. Ambrose RiteCare Clinic. Your incredible compassion and advocacy kept Cindi engaged and optimistic and supported Maggie with ensuring Cindi’s quality of life and independence until the end.
We also wish to honor the immense devotion, tenderness, and tough love that Maggie embodied daily in her caregiving of Cindi. Maggie’s steadfast commitment to Cindi’s care has inspired and moved us all.
Donations can be made in Cindi’s honor to the support the youth section of the Scott County Library, 200 N. 6th Ave., Eldridge, IA, 52748. Donations can be made via check, cash, or electronically via Venmo @sclsfriends.
Cindi’s celebration of life was held from 2-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, at Chambers in Eldridge.
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