Kathy Davala

Mary (Kathy) Davala peacefully went to eternal rest on October 19th, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones after a brief courageous battle with cancer. 

Kathy was born on Christmas day 1948 in Akron, Ohio to the late Wilford and Mary Ferrell. Kathy was a graduate of Hoban Dominican High School in 1966.  In 1967, Kathy enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Ft. Sam Houston and Ft. Bragg as a medic tending to burn victims of the Vietnam war and was honorably discharged in 1969. After leaving the military, Kathy continued her education and used her GI Bill to receive her degree as a licensed practical nurse and earned her degree from Cuyahoga Falls School of Practical Nursing in 1972. Kathy began the best period of her life meeting her soulmate and husband of 51 years John Davala. John was drafted in the U.S. Army and departed for basic training only four days into their marriage. Kathy began working at Akron Childrens Hospital. Kathy reunited with John in Ft. Polk, Louisiana and settled at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina where she welcomed her daughter, Jennifer in 1973. Kathy and John moved back to Canton, Ohio in 1974. Kathy began her most fulfilling and rewarding job as a stay-at-home mom. Kathy and John welcomed their second child, John (Robert) Davala in 1975. 

Kathy began volunteering at her children’s elementary school where she found her calling and was hired by Canton City Schools and worked full-time in Special Education for the next 10 years. Kathy was hired at Clarendon Elementary where she helped countless children and parents for the next 21 years. Kathy retired from Canton City Schools in 2014 after 31 years to devote her time to her 4 grandchildren Sam, Annie, Zoe, and Marlie. 

Kathy was an avid reader and had a love of all literature. Kathy always needed to have a book in her hand, she shared this love with both of her children and often shared and discussed every book she read. 

Kathy also loved to travel and shared this love with her husband John. Kathy and John traveled through many states feeling the freedom of the wind on their motorcycle.  Kathy loved her family and friends and always kept them close to her heart. 

Kathy is preceded in death by her parents Wilford and Mary Ferrell and her sister, Martie Holland of Cuyahoga Falls. 

Kathy is survived by her husband of 51 years, John Davala (Louisville); her children, Jennifer (David) Colgrove (Davala) of Ravenna, John (Amy)Robert Davala of Massillon; grandchildren, Sam, Annie Colgrove,  Zoe and Marlie Davala; sister, Ruthie (Mike) Capoun of Stow; nephew, Jeff Holland of Akron.  Kathy is also survived by a LARGE extended family. 

Family and friends may call at Paquelet-Falk Funeral home on Tuesday, October 24th from 4:00 to 7:00pm with services to immediately follow. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.