Debbie Davies, beloved teacher for over four decades, died Sunday, September 12, 2021, after a long battle with cancer. She was 80 years old.

Debbie was born Deborah Ann Gwatkin in Manchester, CT in 1941, to parents Wesley and Helen (Meyercord) Gwatkin. She graduated from Goucher College in 1963 and later met her husband Keith while both were in the Master’s in Education program at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. Debbie and Keith married in 1965 and were married for 29 years before Keith died of cancer in 1994. They had two sons, Michael (born 1970) and Trefor (born 1973).

The family moved to Nashville in 1975. In 1977, Debbie began teaching high school mathematics at University School of Nashville, where she taught for more than 30 years. She is remembered for her dedication to her teaching craft, how she drew the best out of her students, and for building a powerhouse mathematics department and calculus program over her tenure. A writer of advanced textbooks and a regular grader of AP exams, her abilities garnered national recognition in 1989, when she received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. She leaves behind a strong legacy at University School; thousands of students benefitted from her generous care and teaching skills, and generations of colleagues grew from her leadership and loyal friendship. 

At the end of the last school year, with cancer returning after a five-year remission, she moved to Charlottesville to be nearer to her sons, their wives, Nicole and Whitney, and her four grandchildren, Katherine, Lila, Oscar, and Fred. It will be of no surprise to those who knew her that she fought her cancer fiercely in her final months, while feeling great joy from being close to her family and beloved cats, Toby and Lucy.  In addition to her sons and their families, Debbie is survived by her brothers, Lee and David Gwatkin; four sisters-in-law, Anne, Dot, Carol, and Karen; and many nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her parents and brother Thomas.

There are hundreds of anecdotes about Debbie to share!  Simply put, she was a force of nature: from joining with the Connecticut Education Association to fight for her maternity leave in the 70s; to going on strike from all housework in the early 80s, forcing her kids to learn how to do laundry and her husband to cook. She was featured by the local news when she found an error in the Nashville Electric Service’s billing algorithm that caused overcharging. In recent years, Debbie defied the no tipping rule at Vanderbilt Cancer Center by distributing Ziploc bags of Cheez-Its to the parking garage attendants, prompting emotional farewells after her last appointment. Debbie lived fully and fearlessly! She had a great sense of humor and made people happier around her wherever she went.  We hope you will please share your stories about Debbie on this site – whether sweet or strong, ridiculous or loving.  She was all those things, and more.

Finally, the family would like to thank Debbie’s medical team, the USN community, and her close network of friends, who supported her for so many years and allowed her to live independently for many of the last years of her life. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those so moved make a contribution to the charity or cause of their choice, the University School of Nashville, or the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.