Bummer: Another one bites the dust
 

Posted: 10/6/07

Congresswoman dies after cancer fight


LARRY O'DELL
Associated Press Writer

RICHMOND, Va. — U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Davis, a Republican who represented southeastern Virginia for seven years, died Saturday morning after a two-year battle with breast cancer, her office said.
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Davis, 57, died at her home in Gloucester.
Davis was found to have breast cancer in 2005 and had a recurrence this year. Her health took a turn for the worse during the past week, her office said.
She became Virginia's first woman elected to Congress in 2000, and she was a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee.
"She inspired Virginians as she battled breast cancer while continuing to serve the commonwealth," Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, a Democrat, said in a statement.
Her first piece of legislation, passed by the House in 2001, increased the life insurance benefit paid to survivors of military members killed on duty.
Before Congress, Davis served four years in the Virginia House of Delegates.
A conservative who came from modest means, Davis was known for her unquenchable inquisitiveness and how quickly and deeply she learned about any legislative issue.
She attended Hampton Roads Business College; she got her real estate license in 1984 and her real estate broker's license four years later. In 1990, she opened Jo Ann Davis Realty.
She underwent chemotherapy treatments and a mastectomy when her cancer was first diagnosed in 2005. When the cancer returned, she underwent chemotherapy again and often monitored hearings from home.
Survivors include her husband, Chuck, two sons and a granddaughter.

Reality bites.

Mary Jo

It is sad to read this.

Jean

Even sadder is the heading of this post. jmho

Sorry, just realized how my post sounded, I don't mean to be nasty. All in all it's not been a very good week for me and next week won't be much better. Again, sorry if I hurt anyones feelings.

Nitewind, no need to apologize.

So sad that we are still losing women to this disease. Makes me cry to read about this and I don't even know her. Just hits close to home.

It is also sad to read that she passed after only 2 years. I wonder what type of bc she had.

I heard this on the news tonight. She was a smart and feisty woman and very respected. Our relatives in Virginia liked her a lot... Very sad. It does seem very quick and very sudden.

This is very sad.

I however did have a probelm with the title of the post.

i would hate to think when I pass away, it would be referred to as
"As I just bite the dust"

I as well hope noone is offended by comments, as I just don't like that saying at all.

Warrior
 

Just a bit of info for this fighter. The head line in the local Virginia paper......" A graceful fighter to the end". Jo Ann Davis was known for fighting for the people she represented. She represented the 1st Congressional District of Virginia for 7 years. Family interviews state that she resumed chemo in Feb. after her cancer returned. She decided about a month ago to stop treatments. She was indeed a fighter and continued to work as much as possible through all of the fight. Her husband is quoted: "She was a fighter. She didn't lose this fight either. She won this fight. She's healed completely. She's where you and I want to go". A lady of great faith.
Hugs to all, Bonnie

Great info on a great lady....I agree the title of the post was a little rough...but I understand...Cathy aka Ceesun