Sr. Diane Davidson, Rsm

Remembering Sister Diane Davidson, RSM

Sister Diane Davidson was born August 28, 1937, in Independence, Missouri. Her parents were James and Frances Lucille (Thompson) Davidson. After graduating from St. Mary’s High School in 1955, she traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, to enter the Sisters of Mercy.

Sister Diane received her bachelor of science degree in chemistry from College of Saint Mary in Omaha in 1965 and her master’s in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Colorado in 1970. She taught elementary and high school science and math in Joplin, Missouri, and Denver, Colorado, as well as college chemistry in Omaha.

Sister Diane’s former students likely remember her as Sister Mary Kent. She certainly left a strong and favorable impression, considering her name and picture are still on display today at McAuley High School in Joplin and J.K. Mullen Catholic High School in Denver. At McAuley, she was one of the “young sisters,” having taught there in the early 1960s. At J.K. Mullen, where she taught for 23 years (1976-1999), she was “one of Mullen’s best and most-liked teachers.” Although extremely well educated and intelligent, Sister Diane was effective as a teacher because of her sincere interest in her students.

Upon returning to minister in Omaha in 1999, Sister Diane taught college chemistry at College of Saint Mary. She also served on the boards of Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha and St. Anthony’s Hospital in Pocatello, Idaho. In addition, she managed two Mercy properties for 14 years: Mercy Acres in Waterloo, Nebraska, and Dory Lakes in Blackhawk, Colorado.

“I set out to fashion my own path toward faithfulness, commitment and service,” Sister Diane once said. “One of the many rewards of religious life is the opportunity to serve the people of God in varied ways.”

In her spare time, Sister Diane enjoyed camping, reading science fiction, and listening to classical and jazz music. She played the piano, violin and trumpet. However, her greatest love was large dogs; particularly her Doberman Pincers she had over the years: Miska, Maggie, Murphy and Merlot.

Sister Diane died on September 18, 2023, in Omaha, Nebraska, following a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be in Omaha. John A. Gentleman Mortuaries is handling the arrangements. Watch for details as they become available here: https://www.johnagentleman.com/obituaries/obituary-listings#2

Preceded in death by parents, James and Frances Davidson.

Survived by brother, Kent (Christine) Davidson; niece, Sara (Jared) Byrd; nephew, Mark (Angela) Davidson; 2 great nephews; dear friend, Sr. Patricia Forret, RSM and her family and her sisters of the Sisters of Mercy.