Ellyn Elizabeth (Oler) Davis

Ellyn Elizabeth Oler Davis

May 1, 1927 to March 16, 2017

Ellyn Davis, of Elizabethtown, PA, formerly of Maricopa, AZ, Millersville, PA, and originally from Erie, PA, passed away March 16, 2017,  just weeks shy of her 90th birthday.  She was a victim of Dementia.  Born in Waterford, PA, she was the daughter of Edward and Harriet White Oler, and the sister of Loren Oler, all of whom preceded her in death.

She graduated Waterford High School at the age of 16, and was voted both “prettiest” and “shyest” in her class.  She moved to Washington, DC during WWII and worked for the government as a secretary.  Returning to Erie after the war, she became employed at General Electric.  She met her best friend and love of her life, Richard Russell Davis, at this time. They married April 5, 1952.

Ellyn enjoyed an abundance of beauty, laughter, and love for most all of her life.  She and Richard built their first home in Harbor Creek, and moved there with their only child, Sue in the early 1960’s.  She made that house a beautiful, warm home, with her favorite music often playing, anything from the Tijuana Brass to Glen Campbell.  Ellyn’s childhood of growing up on a small dairy farm provided a fearless, incredibly gifted ability to grow just about anything in soil; her gardens were always lavish and beyond words in terms of beauty.  She was an avid seamstress, and hand-made virtually all of Sue’s clothing when she was a child, cleverly concealing the fact that money was scarce and the clothing was lovingly created through necessity.  She was Samantha, and Sue was Tabitha, although in later years, in the throes of Dementia, she forgot having watched endless episodes of Bewitched together.  Ellyn passionately loved dogs.  Their home was always filled with an assortment of furry friends, so much so that Sue never missed having a human sibling.  Ellyn bred Basset Hounds, English Bulldogs, and Lhasa Apsos through the years, and did so conscientiously and with love.  No one loved Christmas more than Ellyn.  And no one loved Hershey’s Chocolate Bars more than she.

Ellyn worked for many years at the Harbor Creek High School as a Guidance Counselor secretary.  In later years, she and Richard toured the country in their RV.  They moved to Millersville, PA when they were 80 years of age.  Then to Maricopa, Arizona.  Then to Elizabethtown, PA, where Ellyn lost the love of her life just before their 61st anniversary.

Ellyn is survived by her heart-broken daughter Sue Davis Bocchicchio, and son-in-law Keith A. Bocchicchio, both of Elizabethtown, PA.  She leaves behind her adored niece and other best friend, Nancy Burkhardt, and husband Dennis, of Erie, PA, and also niece Joan and husband John of Springboro, PA, niece Susan and her husband Mark of Erie, PA, and nephew Jack Oler and wife Sandy of Akron, Ohio.  She will be missed more than anyone could ever imagine.

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, March 22 at 11:00 at the Sell Chapel at Masonic Village, 1 Masonic Dr., Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Visitation will be held from 10:30 until the time of service. A light lunch will be served afterwards. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to Boyer Funeral Home, Inc., 144 E. High St., Elizabethtown. 717-367-1380.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Zoe’s House of Reading, PO Box 2372 or www.ZoesHouseRescue.com, or an animal rescue of your choice.

 Service Information