Martha Cousar Davis ’81

Martha died Dec. 5, 2019, of cancer in her hometown of Jacksonville, Fla. She was 60. In spite of a long illness and serious car accident in 1997, Martha “greeted every day, person, and dog she met with genuine enthusiasm and her magnificent smile,” her family wrote.

Born in Jacksonville, Martha attended Bartram School for Girls and The Bolles School, where she was an All-American swimmer. At Princeton she majored in biology, was a member of Tower Club, and managed the women’s swim team her freshman year.

After college Martha explored marine research and teaching, eventually pursuing a degree in counseling psychology at the University of Florida. She married her kindergarten classmate Gardner Davis, celebrating 35 years of marriage in May 2019.

Deeply committed to her community, Martha served numerous organizations in Jacksonville. She also enjoyed a variety of creative pursuits, including painting, calligraphy, scrapbooking, music, and more.

Martha is survived by her husband, Gardner; their three children, Molly, Gardner, and Elizabeth; granddaughter Davis; her mother; brother Don Cousar ’77; and other siblings and nieces and nephews. With them all, we remember and miss Martha’s smile and her unending positivity and optimism.