Rock Hill, SC – Nancy Meader Davidson passed away peacefully on Sunday February 25th 2024 to be reunited in eternity with her beloved husband Ian who preceded her in death in 2022. Nancy was known to be a kind, caring, compassionate person dedicated to all, as a devoted mother, spouse, grandmother, colleague and friend.
Born in Whitinsville Massachusetts on January 2, 1932, Nancy was a 1953 graduate of the University of Massachusetts with a degree in Sociology. Nancy was formally recognized by the University as one of the top 6 (3 male and 3 female) students in the class of 1953 for their overall contribution and leadership during their 4 years on campus. The university paper, The Massachusetts Collegian, cited a wide range of leadership roles including her beloved Pi Beta Phi sorority, Women’s Judiciary Board, Drill Team, International Relations Club, and too many social steering committees, and community outreach programs to list here. The paper specifically noted that “Nancy’s unselfish service has been carried on in such an unprepossessing and capable manner that like a well-played violin concerto, no effort appeared to have been made”. 71 years later these words certainly exemplify and hold true for all that Nancy did and how she did it throughout her life.
Ian and Nancy were married in September 1953 and eventually settled in Rock Hill SC in 1961 after living in Chicago, Germany and Virginia the first 7 years of their marriage. Once her three children were of school age, Nancy returned the workforce as a Reference Librarian at Winthrop University. 10 years later, to pursue her passion and build her career, she returned to college at the University of South Carolina part time to earn a Masters in Library Science. She was a longtime presence at the front desk of the Ida Jane Dacus library at Winthrop assisting students, faculty, staff and Rock Hill residents to find the resources for reading enjoyment, or research throughout the library.
Nancy was an active member of many organizations in Rock Hill and beyond. She was a member of Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church for 63 years and was a mainstay presence in the choir for well over 50 of those years. In addition, she was active in many organizations that were both important networks for her, as well as a focus on philanthropy, including the University of Massachusetts Alumni Association, AAUW, Winthrop Retirees, and P.E.O., a philanthropic organization focused on the advancement of women.
Nancy was an accomplished tennis player who started playing with Ian due to his interest in the sport, when they were just teenagers in small town Whitinsville. She was a regular presence at courts around Rock Hill including Winthrop, Confederate Park, Shiland Hills and their own personal homemade clay court in their backyard on Christopher Circle. She was always up for a casual hit with friends, and family, or for competitive games in tournaments or team leagues. Nancy won a Masters Division Rock Hill city championship in singles, and maybe even more notable won a singles match for her team at state championships when she was 70+ years old.
Travel and adventure to see and experience different places were important to Nancy from early on in life. Spending summers away from home working on Cape Cod during college and moving to Chicago and then Germany in her early 20s are both indicators of a desire to see the world. The interest to travel brought Nancy and Ian to many unique destinations around the world including Russia and China in the early to mid-80s. Nancy was always game for a flight halfway around the world, backpacking on the Appalachian Trail or a driving camping trip with the family to Canada or Florida.
Nancy was preceded in death by her husband Ian of Rock Hill, her parents Kenneth and Hazel Meader of Whitinsville, MA, her brother Charlie Meader of Harwich MA, and her daughter Nancy Davidson Mylius (Randy) of Baton Rouge LA. Nancy is survived by her two sons, Ian A Davidson Jr. of Clemson, SC and Cameron S Davidson (Amy) of Sullivans Island, SC. Additional survivors are her brother Stephen Meader (Helena) of Norristown PA, four grandchildren, Allison Mylius Hartley(Corey), Caroline Davidson, Ashley Davidson, Cameron Davidson Jr and one great grandson Mack Hartley as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Many will have endearing memories of Nancy driving around Rock Hill in her turquoise 1965 VW convertible accentuated with large stick on “hippie” flowers on the doors and hood. Nancy will be missed by all those whose life she touched for her graciousness, her caring, her kind demeanor and her love for all. Remembering that “Nancy’s unselfish service has been carried on in such an unprepossessing and capable manner that like a well-played violin concerto, no effort appeared to have been made”
Donations can be made to:
Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church
421 Oakland Ave
Rock Hill, S.C. 29730
In favor of Music Programs