Our friend Davie Ericson, 104, left this world on June 12, 2021. To many in her wide community she was a wise and beloved elder.
Born on April 6, 1917 to Estelle and William Kerr in Green Bay, Wisconsin, she was the youngest of six siblings. First named Mary Kerr by her parents, she was born on the day the US declared war on Germany entering WWI. Upon seeing the “Old Glory” flag flying, her parents renamed her Gloria Mary Kerr. At age 16, reading a poem in the newspaper penned by someone whose first name was Davida, she wanted to change her name. With her mother’s permission, she became Davida Gloria Kerr. She pronounced her name “David-ah” as she liked the biblical story of David and Goliath – identifying with David – small but mighty.
As a young girl she danced the Highland fling and celebrated Robert Burn’s birthday in keeping with Scottish traditions. There was considerable music talent in the family. Estelle, her mother, was a Christian Scientist Practitioner and the wisdom and strength of that religious tradition stayed with her especially the concept of a loving Father/Mother God. Davie often talked about the values her mother instilled in her such as expressing gratitude and keeping an open mind. It’s not surprising that she also had a lifelong interest in politics, philosophy and the world’s spiritual traditions.
Her father died while Davida was still in her teens and she and her mother moved in with various relatives before settling finally in Chicago. She attended Lawrence College, was a member of an a cappella choir and was gainfully employed in a small firm handling political activity. She met her husband to be, Richard Ferdinand Ericson (1919-1993), in that choir which was well reviewed and performed at the Goodwin Theatre and other formal venues In the Chicago area. Davie was always a bit of a rebel. Once they fell in love, they were secretly married yet lived in separate residences for nearly a year with much of Davie’s salary going to support Dick’s studies at University of Chicago until he completed his Masters and they were able to live together.
When Dick was working on his doctorate in Economics at Indiana University in the late 1940s they bought a rustic cabin on Whippoorwill Lane in Brown County and loved the romantic adventure of roughing it. At an auction buying furnishings for the cabin, they met lifelong friends Hank and Mardi Swain. It was Hank, a lifelong Quaker, who interested Davie in becoming a Quaker later in her life. And Mardi, a lifelong Methodist, led both Hank and Davie to the Green Room (a discussion/action group) at the Nashville United Methodist Church.
Davie was actively involved with her husband’s career as a full-time partner, hostess to his colleagues, and sounding board. During their time at Stetson University in Deland, Florida eldest son, Kurt (of Austin, Texas) was born. Two years later while Dick was teaching at University of Iowa in Iowa City, their second son, Dana (Evansville, Indiana) was born. Many of their years were spent in the Washington DC area while Dick taught and became a dean at George Washington University. He was a pioneer in the field of Interdisciplinary Systems and Cybernetics Research and consequently traveled extensively for research and consulting, with Davie often by his side. Davida told us she especially enjoyed spending time with Dick’s friend and colleague, Margaret Mead, who stayed at their house several times. During a recent visit to their old house, she pointed out Margaret’s favorite chair. In the summers, when the family was not traveling, they came back to their beloved Brown County. When Dick retired they moved to Nashville permanently.
Describing herself as a “herd animal”, Davida was a member of many groups – The Quaker Friends Meeting in Bloomington, The Green Room, The League of Women Voters of Brown County, the Nashville chapter of The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, A Course in Miracles group, an open and proud supporter of Al-Anon and umpteen small meditation and discussion groups. She also supported multiple national and international groups working for the betterment of mankind. Making use of her writing and editorial skills, Davie partnered with Wanda Brown and Pam Raider in a 15-year project publishing “The Brown County Reflection Rag.” In 1997 they led a class for the local Life Long Learning Center entitled Philology—translated into love of learning —something the three had in common. She also wrote for Jewelweed, a Quaker publication.
Davie had a way of collecting friends and admirers wherever she went. She was known for spreading pearls of wisdom – sharing compassion laced with practical and spiritual advice. For more than 20 years she lived in an apartment in downtown Nashville and was often seen about town in her signature cap, dark glasses and staff beautifully carved with Gingko leaves, a symbol of longevity.
In March of this year as Davie’s health started to decline, she was welcomed into the home of her dear friends Karen Green Stone and Rob Stone. It was there, surrounded by woods with sounds of birds, frogs and cicadas, and lovingly tended to by many friends, with Tater, the resident black German shepherd at her side, that she drew her last peaceful breath.
Davie always kept a photo of an open door on a table visible to all as they entered. She likened the image to her view of death – passing into a brighter world. Now she has passed through that door but will never be forgotten by those many people whose lives she touched.
A remembrance of her life is scheduled for Sunday, August 8, 2021 at 3 pm at the Brown County Public Library.
The Friends Meeting House in Bloomington will host a celebration on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 10:30 am at their location on E Moore’s Pike.