Deidre “De” Davis Amplo passed away peacefully at her home on Southport surrounded by her loving family.

De was born on Oct. 8, 1949 in Lynn, Massachusetts to the late Ernest and Etta (Holt) Davis. She spent most of her youth outside of Philadelphia in Ridley Park before her family moved to New Orleans. It was here that she graduated from Berman High School with the class of 1967. After high school she went on to attend the University of Arkansas where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in special education. 

De’s career in teaching began in the Hudson Valley in upstate New York, a region she loved and resided in for over 30 years. Her career saw her in a variety of classrooms including special education, kindergarten, third grade and as a preschool director. It was during her time in the classroom that she obtained her master’s degree. De loved working with younger children and was blessed to have the patience needed to help shape the young minds of her class. 

Upon retiring in 2008 she made her way to Southport a place she had been coming to with her family since 1979. She loved the community of Southport and was quick to immerse herself in it. Whether it was playing mahjong, lending her talents to the garden club, the St. Andrews Auxiliary or her work at the Southport library, where she volunteered as an aide and hung art for “Artist of the Month.” 

De was an artist and enjoyed working with a variety of mediums.  She also enjoyed the works of other artists within the community and made many friends who shared similar talents. She was a collector and had a wide array of things she found beauty in. Whether it was sea glass, heart shaped rocks, Damariscotta Pottery or unique furniture she loved it all and made sure to find a place for them in her home. 

She was an enthusiastic regular at the Southport Fireman’s Auction each year where she carried home new treasures to add to her collections. De was also an animal lover, especially a dog lover and never met an animal she didn’t love or who didn’t love her back.  She was a kind and gentle person who had a knack for listening and was always there to lend helpful advice if you needed it. Her family was her pride and joy and she cherished the time she was able to spend with her children and grandchildren. She maintained more friendships than most and would always be there if needed.

She enjoyed spending time in her kitchen and loved baking, particularly her famous apple pies. A friend said upon her passing “There is a quote which says ‘make of yourself a light’.  De made herself a light throughout all the years of her life to everyone around her, everyone whose lives she touched with her grace, kindness, creativity, laughter and love.”  She was a steady constant in the lives of many and will live on in the memories of all those who knew and loved her.

De was predeceased by a sister Susan Davis Kidd.

Survivors include her daughters, Jessica Atkinson and her husband Brian of Granby, Connecticut, and Jenna Spear and her husband Jon of Wiscasset; brother, Ernest “Dave” Davis and his wife Renee of Westerly, Rhode Island; grandchildren Olivia, Sydney, Joshua, Zoe and Lucas; nieces, Sarah and Maddie; and nephews, Zack and Ben.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Should friends desire memorial donations may be made to the Boothbay Region Land Trust or to the Southport Memorial Library.

You are invited to share your condolences, memories and stories with the family by visiting her book of memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com