Della DAVIDSON

Della Elizabeth Hovey Davidson passed away Friday, December 6, 2002 in Lake Havasu City, Arizona at the age of 100 years, 8 months, and 17 days. She spent over 50 years of her life in The Dalles, Oregon.Della was born March 19, 1902 in Delta, Colorado, the fourth daughter of Roy L. Hovey and Cora May Fry Hovey, whose families were early pioneers in Western Colorado. Four brothers were soon to follow completing the family unit.The Hovey ranch, elevation 9,200' was located in San Miguel County, Colorado between the towns of Ridgway and Telluride. Della's mother, Cora instructed her daughters in proper etiquette, literature, and dressmaking. Della's father, Roy read to his children from the Bible, his favorite novels, and discussed current events and politics. The lessons paid off and a few years later Della received a State of Colorado teaching certificate.In 1927, at the age of 25 years, Della, her parents and three brothers moved to The Dalles, Wasco County, Oregon. Sewing lessons taught at her mother's knee were soon utilized when Della started her alteration and tailoring business. During the 1930's and early 1940's she and her brothers owned and operated The Dalles Taxi Company.Della married Clair W. Davidson April 19, 1941. Her husband's grandparents came by wagon train to Oregon and were early pioneers in Wasco County. Upon returning home after WWII, Clair Davidson died of a massive coronary, leaving Della with a little to love and educate.Part of Della's strength came from deep within her "roots". She was truly a genealogist's dream come true! Through Della's maternal grandmother, she was connected to all the royal houses of Europe. Della was the 17th great granddaughter of King Edward III of England. Her lineage is traced to William the Conqueror and beyond Charlemagne. Her original American ancestor, Daniel Hovey arrived in Ipswich, Mass. in 1635. An ancestor started the first development in New Brunswick, Canada. An ancestor helped develop Stamford, Conn. An ancestor fought in the American Revolution. P.T. Barnum was her great grandfather's half-brother. Della's second cousins were Orville and Wilbur Wright.This Centurion's greatest strength came from two parents who loved and nurtured their brood of eight in a modest dwelling overlooking the San Juan Range in Colorado.Della moved from The Dalles in her 77th year to be closer to her daughter and grandchildren. Then in 1994 she accompanied her daughter and son-in-law to Lake Havasu City, Arizona.Preceding her in besides her husband and parents are her siblings, Mabel Hovey Jones, Elnora Hovey, William, Fred, Archie and Jay Hovey.Della was the oldest member of the National Society Colonial Dames 17th Century in the State of Arizona and an active member of Ocotillo Chapter. She was a member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church; past president of The Dalles Business and Professional Women's Club; a Charter member of The Dalles Emblem Club. She was also an accomplished horsewoman.She was loved and cherished by her daughter Clairdell Davidson Ross and son-in-law Richard E. Ross of Lake Havasu City, Arizona; two grandchildren, Brian Burke Smith of Lake Havasu City, Arizona and Shannon Dee Smith of Redmond, Oregon; two step-grandchildren, Christopher T. Ross of Tacoma, Washington and Debbie K. Babcock of Hamilton, Montana; and five great grandchildren, Cody, Zachary and Haley Smith, Amanda Babcock and Brenna Ross. Also surviving are a sister Grace Hovey White of Crewe, Virginia, a sister-in-law Ruth Hovey of The Dalles, Oregon and several nieces and nephews located from the Atlantic to the Pacific.Della will be missed by her many caregivers at Lake Hills Inn and her friends at Interagency Respite House.In the spring of 2003, Della will be placed with her husband in the IOOF Cemetery, The Dalles, Oregon.Arrangements were made by Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home.