Saint Francis fundraising pioneer Edythe Davis dies at age 78

SEDGEWICKVILLE, Mo. -- Edythe Davis, a former vice president at Saint Francis Medical Center credited with establishing the hospital's fundraising foundation, died Monday at age 78.

Davis was also a leader at the United Way of Southeast Missouri, where she served on the board of directors for 12 years and served as fundraising chairwoman in 1998, and in establishing the Cape Girardeau Area Family Resource Center, serving residents on Cape Girardeau's south side.

Friends on Monday remembered Davis as an energetic woman who willingly served as a mentor teaching the details of how to open hearts and wallets for important causes.

Davis "had an innate sense of what to ask for, when to ask for it and who to ask," said Mary Spell, former marketing director at Saint Francis. "She was quite good at that even before there were even books being written about it."

Over the years, Davis was honored for her efforts, receiving the Spirit of Giving Award from the United Way in 2002 and the Friends Honorary Award from the Friends of Saint Francis in 2000.

The key lesson Davis taught, United Way executive director Nancy Jernigan said, was to be persistent. "It was, 'don't be afraid to ask,'" Jernigan said of Davis's drive. "She maybe didn't have any miraculous secret to it at all, but ever since the beginning she talked about having relationships and how important that was in fundraising."

In a statement issued Monday afternoon, Saint Francis president and chief executive officer Steven Bjelich said Davis's impact on the hospital is still being felt, 13 years after her retirement in 1997. Davis joined the staff at Saint Francis in 1975 as the hospital was moving from its old location at Pacific and Good Hope streets to a new campus on William Street. Along with the foundation, she started the Quarter Century Club for employees with 25 years experience and established the Employee Caring Fund, which raises money to help hospital employees in crisis.

"Many count her as a mentor, adviser and friend," Bjelich said. "She lent her expertise and abilities willingly and daily lived the mission of Saint Francis. She will be greatly missed."

Both Jernigan and Spell said they admired her independent nature and her struggle to be a leader at a time the medical field was dominated by male administrators.

"Edythe was a kind of pioneer woman ahead of her time," Jernigan said. "It was very cool for us women to have people come before us and prove we could do things."

Funeral arrangements are incomplete with Liley Funeral Home in Patton, Mo.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent addresses:

Sedgewickville, MO

1202 S. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, MO

211 Saint Francis Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO