On Sunday, family and friends will honor the life of Ohio University graduate and employee Margaret Keehne Maggie Davis.
Davis, who was head of resident services at OU in 1938, died Aug. 20. She was 100 years old.
Davis was one of the first women to hold a major administrative position at OU, supervising 800 employees and catering to 8,000 students.
There were two women in position of authority when she was here
said Karen Vedder, a former employee of Davis and coordinator of the memorial events. When she left six men replaced her. We always laughed about that.
Davis earned a bachelor's degree in education from OU in 1932. After teaching in Alaska, she returned to OU for 37 years, working mainly in the departments of food services. She was also resident hall interior decorator and worked in housekeeping. She was a faculty member in the School of Home Economics and helped in the development and furnishing of Baker University Center.
She was known on campus for her lavishly planned events, as official OU hostess and befriending the trouble-making student employees.
Everything Maggie did she did with flair and drama Vedder said.
She would create elaborate displays for the faculty Christmas parties using red carpet and decorating doors with Christmas trees, Vedder said. When her favorite OU president, John Calhoun Baker, returned to OU she had daisies imported in the middle of winter.
In September of 1989, OU Board of Trustees named the private dining room on the first floor of Baker Center the Margaret K. Davis Dining Room, with which she played an instrumental part in decorating.
The room was recently spruced up with photographs, a grandfather clock and the resolution of the dedication of the room, said Richard Carpinelli, director of Baker Center.
The new furnishings were in part for a luncheon hosted by Davis's sister Emmy Lou Sweeney at noon yesterday in Davis's honor.
Davis was known as an avid gardener, international traveler and friend to many throughout Athens and OU. The memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday in Robert Glidden Hall.
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Carolyn Casey
