Mary LaVerne (Benson) Davis

Mary "LaVerne" Davis, 93, of Livingston died June 29th, 2017. A celebration of LaVernes life will be held on Monday, July 3rd, 10 A.M. at Franzen-Davis Chapel, 118 N Third St., Livingston; viewing will begin at 9:00 A.M. Monday. Graveside committal and burial will be at Mountain View Cemetery with a reception to follow at the Yellowstone Pioneer Lodge. Memorials are preferred to the Park County Senior Center, 206 S Main St, or Livingston Health Care Hospice, 320 Alpenglow Ln, Livingston, MT 59047. LaVerne was born July 12th, 1923 in Amarillo Texas, to Jack and Irene Benson. At a very young age, her father took a job in Pueblo Colorado at the local ice plant. They had a small farm that she grew up on just outside of town. Her fondest memories as a young girl were, twirling on the bar her father had made for she and her siblings (Juanita, Harold and Francis). She spent hours upside down hanging from her knees, spinning and jumping to her feet off the bar. She had a great love for animals, and living close to the local zoo made her love even stronger as they spent a lot of their free time there. LaVerne met the love of her life, LeRoy Davis, at the young age of 15; he was 5 years older and worked for Sears, as a repair technician. They waited until she turned 18 and were married November 9th, 1941. LeRoy was a Staff Sergeant in the Army Airforce and continued working for the government. This caused them to move around from state to state. Although they traveled to many states, after living in Livingston they knew that this is where they wanted to retire, so in 1977, they came back to Livingston to live. LaVerne was known for her "green thumb", she could grow anything from flowers to vegetables and a lot of weeds in between; she always made a house a home with her love for gardening. When LeRoy laid out the property, he made sure that everyone could see her hard work. In the front, he made a horseshoe driveway, filled it with flowers and made flower beds across the entire front of the house. She took great joy in her flowers and always had fresh ones on the table to admire. There was never a time that you would go to her house and she wasnt canning, pickling or preparing fresh vegetables, making pies or jams for everyone to enjoy. Her yard brought her pure joy and happiness. Every evening after dinner she loved taking long walks over the hill with LeRoy, collecting beautiful rocks and petrified wood along the way. She was always the fast walker, she was just 5 tall and LeRoy was 6 tall and she always kept up with him, never missing a step. She continued her walks well into her late 70s, she would always say "I would rather die if I couldnt walk". Her sweetheart, LeRoy, of 52 years passed in 1993, but she kept on working her magic. She had to downsize her garden and flowers after he passed, but she still managed to do a lot for herself well into her 80s. Her daughter Mary would come for summer visits. In 2007 she lived and cared for her fulltime. They would take trips to Yellowstone and to many family functions. Those two were known for "getting into a lot mischief". It was a special time between a mother and a daughter and created a special bond between them. Her last few months were spent seeing sights she hadnt seen before, with her granddaughter, Cindy. She loved taking rides in the car, as long as she got to go along. She didnt care if it was 5 minutes or 2 hours. You were sure to bring a smile to her face if you were out and mentioned "how about we stop for a treat"? She would grin from ear to ear and say "why sure, lets get an ice cream and I will buy". Every morning like clockwork she wanted to get up and get moving at 8:00, so she could eat and do her exercises. She would always say, "everyone needs exercise, even at my ripe old age". She loved sitting out on her porch and supervising the yard work, wringing her hands, because she wanted to always be a part of any work being done. Never a day went by when she didnt offer to help in some way, helping with food or a project, she loved to work. She loved sitting in her chair and looking out the window and admiring the Crazy Mountains. Every time she left the house, she would say, "oh, those mountains are so beautiful" as she looked at the "Sleeping Giant", she was surrounded by beauty. She had a way of making you smile as she would hold your face and smile and say "I love you". She had a gentle touch and a kind heart and could never leave without a hug. LaVerne lived a full and happy life and has gone on to join her sweetheart. She is survived by her sister, Frances Wallace, daughter, Mary Tecca and her son, Bob (Marlys) Davis. Grandchildren: Lee Tecca, John Tecca Jr, Tony (Jane) Tecca, Rosemary (Bart) Mack, Joe (Jeanette) Tecca, Cindy Tecca, Nathan (Amanda) Davis and Troy Davis. Great-Grandchildren: Kristen, John Jr (Victoria), Bridger and Logan Tecca, Payton, Cena and Claree Tecca, Casey Dooley, Kylie, Alexis Mackenzie, Isabella & Landan Mack, Jenny Tecca and Jeremiah, Benjamin, Laura and Rebekah Davis . Great-Great-Grandchildren: Brenden, Wyatt, Lucy, Ronin, Justice, Samantha and Mason. She is preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy, brother, Harold and sister, Juanita. Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.