Barbara “Babs” Claire Colletto Davis was born on Feb. 9, 1936, and raised in Monterey, California. She passed peacefully at the Huntsman Cancer Center in the early morning hours of Saturday, Nov. 24. Davis grew up with a large extended Italian family who loved to have fun, dance and cook, which she embraced wholeheartedly. She had the ability to make anything a good time, dance anywhere and cook one of the best meals you would ever want eat. She could also knit or sew some of the most beautiful clothes. Davis spent her early adult life raising her four children, moving from Monterey to Hawaii to San Diego, California, and all up and down the state. She could make friends anywhere she went with her outgoing, vivacious personality.
In her late 30s she married Jim Davis. After several years they moved to Alaska where she began her career in education. She worked with special needs children, and her love affair with teaching began. In October 1993, she and Jim moved to Moab where she started substitute teaching, which she did until her diagnosis in September. It was a job she loved and students loved her. In 2016-17 she was honored with employee of the year, one of her proudest accomplishments. Davis could make anyone feel comfortable, she had a goofiness that could always make you laugh. She had the rare ability to laugh at herself. Her laugh was contagious. Davis was a free loving spirit. She will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, her love of dancing, and her ability to have a good time anywhere.
Davis leaves behind her husband Jim; four children, Tracy (Forrest), Suzy (Donnie), Rob and Peter (Halle); two stepchildren, John and Jacqui; seven grandchildren, Seth, Matthew, Cory (Sony), Eagle, JJ, Hope and Max; and one great-grandson Troy. The world has lost a bright light, she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Dec. 1, at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 250 Kane Creek Blvd., at 11 a.m. Please make donations to St. Jude Hospital, Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, or the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City.
