Alizabeth “Ali” Davis
Alizabeth “Ali” Ladia Davis, 30, died unexpectedly March 19 at her apartment in Iowa City. Ali was planning on graduating in May with a Master's of Public Health and Master's of Hospital Administration. She had completed course work earning a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree.
Her undergraduate degrees include a double major in English and Linguistics with a minor in Anthropology. She also earned a certificate in nonfiction writing and a certificate in teaching English as a second language. She loved learning and was a brilliant student. While at the University of Iowa she was a resident assistant and an intern at the Iowa Youth Writing project. Ali’s commitment to social justice prompted her to volunteer as an advocate with the Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP) and she served as an intern at the Federal Public Defender’s office in Cedar Rapids. She also worked as a Resident Specialist at Aspire graduate student housing. During the pandemic, Ali taught English as a second language virtually to students in China.
She was passionate about reading, books, collecting rocks and crystals and anything else she fancied. Ali was her extended family’s go-to person for information on genetics and ancestry research.
Ali was born on February 19, 1994, in Fort Dodge. She grew up on an acreage near Fort Dodge that she always called home. She attended St. Edmond for elementary and high school, graduating in 2011. An accomplished vocalist she enjoyed music and played the saxophone and clarinet in band and jazz band in high school as well as playing the piano. She loved hiking in the mountains on family vacations and skiing.
When she was a baby, Ali had a star named for her. She loved learning, teaching and sharing. Her star twinkles bright.
Ali was — and always will be — dearly loved by her parents, Dr. Larry and Diane Davis of Fort Dodge, her sister Jodie Jordison of Waukee, her grandmother Evelyn DeLanoit and her Mamie, Beverly Pingel, who cared for Ali as a child and remained connected to her into adulthood. Plus lots of loving aunts, uncles and cousins, and her Cavachon, Cordelia — her best buddy.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home, 307 South 12th St., Fort Dodge, on Monday, March 25th, from 10:00 to 12:00 PM with a sharing of memories at 12:00 PM, all at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to RVAP, 108 River Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52246. Or online at https://rvap.uiowa.edu/support-rvap.