Nancy G. Davis, a beloved mother, trailblazer, and longtime Sitka resident, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, in the early hours of March 13, 2026. She was 79.
Born October 8, 1946, in West Seattle, Nancy’s early years were marked by movement and adventure. At age 6 she moved with her family to Anchorage, then to Juneau in 1957 after the birth of her sister, Vicki. At 16, Nancy’s life took a defining turn when her family relocated to Sitka, where her father, Ned, accepted a position with Standard Oil. Sitka would become her lifelong home and the community she helped shape.
During her years at Sitka High School, Nancy’s vibrant spirit was unmistakable. She was a drummer, an enduring passion she carried throughout her life; performed with the drill team; and embraced the joy of water skiing. As a teenager, she also began developing the business instincts that would later define her career, working her first job alongside her father, Ned Blatchley, at Standard Oil. Nancy often credited her father with teaching her the business savvy, work ethic, and confidence that guided her throughout her life.
When she was 16, she met Alan, her high school sweetheart and lifelong partner. Their bond would define the next chapter of her life.
Alan left for Pepperdine University in California in 1964, and Nancy followed, a year later. The two married in Los Angeles in 1965. While Nancy began studying music, she soon stepped into the workforce at a bank, an experience that would spark a remarkable career. Following Alan’s college graduation, the couple embarked on a three-month road trip across the United States, often sleeping in the back of their VW Squareback, an early reflection of the adventurous and determined life they would share.
The couple began their married life in Kodiak, where Alan worked for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and Nancy continued her work in banking. In 1970, they returned to Sitka, where Nancy accepted a position as a teller with the National Bank of Alaska. Two years later, she and Alan welcomed their daughter, Lynn Marie.
What began as an entry-level role grew into an extraordinary career defined by perseverance, leadership, and quiet determination. Nancy steadily advanced from teller to loan officer to branch manager, breaking barriers along the way. She became the first woman to serve as Vice President of a branch at First National Bank of Alaska. This significant and hard-earned achievement reflected both her professional excellence and her role as a pioneer for women in the industry.
After retiring from banking in 1999, Nancy’s entrepreneurial spirit led her into real estate. She joined RE/MAX and, by 2001, founded Davis Realty. Her leadership and dedication earned her recognition as Southeast Realtor of the Year in 2012. She continued working until her final retirement in 2020, leaving a lasting imprint on Sitka’s business community.
Nancy took particular joy in helping first-time homeowners find their place in Sitka. Drawing on her deep banking experience, she was able to guide families through every step of the process with clarity, patience, and care. She was never driven by profit; rather, she was guided by a genuine desire to serve her community, ensuring that others could build their lives and futures in the place she loved most.
Nancy was deeply committed to the place she called home. She was an active and dedicated member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Sitka Economic Development Association, and the Alaska State Board of Realtors. Her contributions helped strengthen the community she loved.
Above all, Nancy will be remembered for her strength, warmth, and unwavering devotion to her family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Alan Davis; her father, Ned Blatchley; her mother, Betty Caldwell; her stepfather, Tom Caldwell; her father-in-law Jim Davis and mother-in-law Louise Davis; her maternal aunt, Ester Broadwell; her paternal aunt Arlene and uncle Bud Glandon; her nephew Dustin Gravelle; and her brother-in-law, Mike Cooper.
She is survived by her daughter, Lynn (Colin) Lunas; her cherished granddaughter, Morgan Lunas; her sister, Vicki (Orlin) Gravelle; her sisters-in-law, Natalie Callaway and Laurie Cooper; her nephew, Brent (Dawn) McClung; her nieces Debby McClellan, Des (Taylor) Young, April (Josh) Russell, Ashley Pietras, and Caila (Ricardo) Carreno; her great-nephews Parker and Sam Russell, Augustine Carreno, Weston Pietras and River Young; her great-nieces Dusty Young, Addison Pietras, Selene and Minerva Rose Carreno; and many cousins, including Sid (Terri), Bert (Jane), and Ray (Jean) Glandon.
A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held 2 to 5 p.m. May 5, 2026, at Harrigan Centennial Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to Brave Heart Volunteers, in honor of Nancy’s generous spirit and enduring love for her community.
Nancy’s life was one of resilience, adventure, and quiet trailblazing. From a young bank teller to a respected vice president and business owner, she forged a path not only for herself but for those who would follow. She will be deeply missed and warmly remembered, family and friends said.
