When Davis joined the commission, the airport handled fewer than 12 million passengers a year, cruise ships did not call at Seattle’s piers and the downtown waterfront had fallen into disrepair. By the end of her tenure, Sea-Tac was serving about 30 million passengers annually, Seattle had become a cruise destination and the Port had helped redevelop waterfront properties.

Among the major projects pursued during those years were expanded container terminals on the Duwamish Waterway, a downtown conference center, hotel and cruise terminal, and a third runway at Sea-Tac. The runway’s construction drew substantial debate, including concerns about its impacts.

Davis also helped bring the World Trade Organization’s 1999 conference to Seattle while leading the Washington Council on International Trade. The gathering became the focus of large protests that overwhelmed the city’s preparations and drew international attention. Davis, who had supported hosting the conference, faced criticism in its aftermath.

Before entering public office, Davis was active in the League of Women Voters and led a good-government group focused on the Port. She attended commission meetings as a watchdog and ran for a seat in 1985, becoming the first woman commissioner since the Port was established in 1911.

“She stuck her neck out” to support a warehouse project that kept toy company Hasbro as a major Port customer, recalled Jim Dwyer, a Port executive during Davis’ early years on the commission. Former commissioner Paige Miller, who joined the commission in 1987, said Davis helped bring stability as the Port pursued ambitious plans.

Davis’ record also drew criticism. A 2007 performance audit faulted the Port for weak construction-project management, wasteful spending and violations of public-bidding rules. Davis signed a memo promising then-CEO Mic Dinsmore an additional year of pay after he left the Port. Other commissioners said they had not been involved; a recall campaign against Davis did not qualify for the ballot. She retired in 2009 rather than seek a seventh term and denied wrongdoing.

Some projects she backed had costs or disappointing results, including cruise-ship pollution and the Port’s Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center, which struggled, longtime Seattle journalist George Howland said. Davis also defended union jobs when a shipping terminal faced redevelopment pressure, Howland said.

The Port said Davis’ advocacy helped shape its modern identity. Miller pointed to the airport runway as essential to the region’s growth and said Seattle now receives about 2.5 million cruise visitors each year.

Former Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels called Davis a pioneer who approached her role with the common good in mind. Miller said Davis mentored and supported other women. The Port now presents an annual Pat Davis award recognizing women leaders for courage, service and example.

Davis was preceded in death by her husband, John, a dentist and University of Washington educator. The Port said her commitment to its mission and future was unwavering.