Sara “Sally” A. (Gerace) Davis, age 88, slipped away gracefully in Rochester, New York on Saturday, November 15, 2025, leaving cherished memories. She was born on October 17, 1937, to Lillian O. Barden and Anthony L. Gerace and lived on Hoover Road in West Irondequoit where she graduated from high school in 1955.

She is predeceased by her sister, Amy L. Gerace. She is survived by her brother, Barden A. (Peggy) Gerace, Sr., children D. Scott (Wei) Davis, Amy F. (Louis) Sasso, Tad A. (Cyndy) Davis, grandchildren Mikaela Davis, Skylar Davis, Nicholas (Jordan) Sasso, Louis Sasso, Madaleine Davis (Dante Piccolo), Kara Davis, Ryan Davis, nieces Noreen Reagan, Marie (Jack) Duffy, Wendy (Tony) Mikiciuk, Barbie (Ned) Crosby, and nephew Barden A. (Kathleen) Gerace, Jr.

Sally is best known in the Rochester area for her artistic talents, painting many faces of people from all walks of life in her fantastical style throughout the 1970s and beyond, exhibiting her oil paintings at art galleries in Pittsford, New York, and Toronto. Her start as an artist began when she was encouraged by her neighbor and family friend, David E. Perlman, to exhibit at the Clothesline Art Show at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester. 

In her characteristic free-spirited and lighthearted nature, she turned from oil paintings to pillows, decorating them with fabrics and sewing her artwork into them. She painted furniture and wooden boxes, and later returned to painting, creating whimsical oils of animals dressed in human clothing fitting to each breed and character of the animal. One of the favorite jobs she held was designing and decorating the display windows at Snow Country, a retail store specializing in ski and other outdoor recreation gear. 

An avid skier herself, Sally skied at Ski Valley near Bristol Mountain where she made many lifelong friends. She also became an excellent tennis player, befriending many people at the Tennis Club of Rochester. She was athletic throughout her life, cheerleading in high school and challenging boys in her younger years to races to see who could run faster (it was usually her).

Sally was a kind and sweet spirit whose presence brought warmth and joy to everyone she met. She lived life with an artistic soul and an adventurous heart, embracing every moment to the fullest. Her bright light continues to shine through her three children, seven grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and all those whose lives she touched. Sally’s unending smile and gentle words were a gift to everyone around her, and her legacy of love, creativity, and compassion will forever be remembered. 

Family and friends are invited to join for visitation from 4―7 p.m. on Friday, November 21, at Jennings Nulton & Mattle Funeral Home at 1704 Penfield Rd., Penfield, NY 14526. Her Funeral Service will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 22, at Jennings Nulton & Mattle Funeral Home and interment at White Haven Memorial Park immediately following.

Contributions in Sally’s memory may be made to the St. John’s Home Illumination of Love at www.stjohnsliving.org/iol/ a long-standing annual event to remember our loved ones with dementia and provide for the personal needs of residents who have limited financial means. (St. John’s Home, 150 Highland Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620, 585-760-1300.)