Neidra Davis

Neidra Jane Davis, 91, of Galloway, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on June 18, 2025. More than anything, Neidra loved to dance and to make people smile. As a young girl in Chicago, she would take the “El” into the city to her job at a dance studio, where she taught the youngest dancers in exchange for free ballet lessons from the studio owner.

Teaching became her passion, and she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in education in 1956 from the University of Cincinnati where she joined Alpha Chi Omega sorority and worked as a co-op student.

Neidra taught for many years in South Western City Schools and Columbus Public Schools, owned an antiques shop in Grandview in the ‘70s, and went back to education later in life as a substitute teacher for the Hilliard City School District and Grandview School District. Known as the “Latin Lady” by students, she would often start class by writing a quote in Latin on the chalkboard; good behavior was rewarded on Fridays with Mrs. Davis dancing the Charleston, Jitterbug, or doing “the Dab.” On the weekends, you could find Neidra on the dance floor at the casino, where she met many wonderful friends and acquaintances.

Neidra loved her family, the opera, theatre, traveling, reading, antiques, and cats (. Neidra was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Richard, and beloved daughter, Jennifer Heaps. She will be deeply missed by her children Kirsten Thomas and Timothy Davis; son-in-law Shawn Thomas; forever son-in-law, Steve Heaps (Wendy) of Princeton, New Jersey; grandchildren Joel and Claire Thomas, Owen and Emma Heaps, Cameron and Abby Davis; great grandchild, Ellie Thomas.

Neidra was a long-time resident of Upper Arlington and a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Her family would like to thank Neidra’s dedicated home caretakers from Grace Love Agency; her hospice nurses, JME and Kristen, from Capital City Hospice; and the staff at Tidd Funeral Home, Hilliard, Ohio.

Family will hold a private memorial service to be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Pets Without Parents www.petswithoutparents.net or your local humane society.