Mary Ancho Davis

Sep. 19, 1924 - Aug. 09, 2015

Our beloved Mary passed away on August 9, 2015, surrounded by her loving family. A true native Nevadan, Mary was born in a Basque hotel in Jack Creek, Nevada to parents Dominga Urriolabeitia and Jose Ancho. She grew up on the Martin Ranch, nine miles south of Battle Mountain and attended elementary school at the Betty O’Neal mining camp, high in the mountains above the ranch. She graduated from Battle Mountain High School in 1942 as Valedictorian with a full-ride Noble H. Getchell scholarship to the University of Nevada, Reno. She was the first member of her family to attend college. She graduated in 1946 with her Bachelor’s degree in History and was also an active member of thePi Beta Phi Sorority. After college, Mary taught Spanish to high school students, and later became a Spanish professor at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she met and married the love of her life, James C. (Jack) Davis in 1947. She became a homemaker for many years, raising three children and actively participating in their activities. In 1972, Jack was offered the job as founding President of the still un-built Western Nevada Community College in Carson City and Mary and Jack moved to the capitol city and remained there for the rest of their lives. Mary became the church secretary for the First United Methodist Church, where she worked for over 20 years. In 2001, Mary Ancho Davis authored “Chorizos in an Iron Skillet, Memories and Recipes from an American Basque Daughter,” published by the University of Nevada Press. The Basque cookbook is filled with recipes peppered with family stories and photos and recalls her family’s traditions and history and special memories from her mother Dominga’s kitchen. The book became an all-time best seller for the UNR Press. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack, as well as her parents. Mary is survived by her three children Susan Davis of Battle Mountain and Maria Davis (Mark) Denzler and Gregory (Sharlene) Davis of Reno, four grandchildren Allison (Owen) Brolsma and Katelyn (Eric) Hasty of Reno and Natalie Denzler of San Diego and Jack Denzler of San Francisco. She was also blessed with three great-grandchildren, Brooks Brolsma (deceased) and Sadie Brolsma and Colbie Hasty, all of Reno, with a fourth expected soon. Finally, she is survived by her two brothers, Joe (Angie) Ancho of Blackfoot, Idaho and George (Kathy) Ancho of Battle Mountain along with numerous in-laws, nephews, nieces and cousins. The family would like to thank Mary’s caregivers, particularly Emily, Janice and Robin and all the rest of the wonderful people at Sierra Place Senior Living as well as Darlene and Jennifer of Home Instead. Thanks also go to Gentiva Hospice. A memorial will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 11:00am at the First United Methodist Church of Carson City at 412 W. Musser Street, followed by a luncheon reception in the Wesley Room adjoining the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Mary’s memory to First United Methodist Church of Carson City and Alzheimer’s Association Northern Nevada Chapter, 1301 Cordone Ave., Suite 180, Reno, NV 89502.