Summit School Honors Duluth Murder Victim With Memorial Tree

DULUTH, Minn. — Summit School is honoring the life of a former beloved co-worker, MaeDean Davin, 74, who Duluth police said was killed by her 46-year-old son, Nathan, over the weekend.

MaeDean worked at Summit School, an early childhood education facility in Duluth, from 2018 to 2022.

After learning about her tragic passing, the team at Summit planted a memorial tree in her honor Wednesday.

MaeDean Davin with her grandson.

MaeDean’s former colleagues remember her always smiling and keeping an upbeat attitude.

Living near the school, she would walk to work each day and often brought her grandson by for visits.

She took on the role of “summit grandma,” not only to the children at the school, but to her fellow colleagues as well.

“There were some kids that would cling to her at drop off and wouldn’t leave mom and dad unless they found a spot on her lap. She would come check in on us in the office. She would see if there was something we could do or she could do to help us. She was just overall, the happiest person that we’ve ever met,” said India Salter, Summit School Director.

The tree serves as a physical reminder and a place for the community to grieve MaeDean. It also represents Nadine’s lasting legacy and the positive influence she had on the children’s development.

“I think having that physical reminder and that physical place to share their feelings and kind of work through those feelings of grief will be really helpful for them, and also for staff to be able to come and sit by the tree, or see the tree, help take care of the tree and watch it grow. I think that it’s going to bring a lot of closure to a lot of people in the neighborhood,” said Salter.

MaeDean’s colleagues hope the tree continues to spread the love and positivity she gave. A plaque will also be placed in her honor.

MaeDean’s granddaughter Hailey remembers her grandma as a “kind soul.”

“She loved to sit in her chair and crochet and watch her game shows. She loved watching the snow fall in the winter. She was a very kind soul to everyone she encountered asked everyone how their day was going. She was always willing to help any way she could.”