Judith Ann Davis

Judith Ann Davis, 77, passed away at her home on Friday, May 27, 2016.

A longtime Missoula resident is now calling heaven home.

She was born in Great Falls on July 7, 1938, to Helmer and Ruth Hansen, the third of four children. She graduated from Great Falls High in 1959, a Bison, and went to work for General Mills as a secretary.

In 1957 she met the love of her life and life partner Harold Davis of Cut Bank. They married on July 17, 1957, and moved to Cut Bank and began raising a family. They soon resettled in Missoula in 1959 so Harold could attend the University of Montana. At that time she was a homemaker and mother raising their two children, a son and a daughter. She worked odd jobs to help pitch in and even manged to get in a year of schooling at UM in those early years.

After college they moved into 154 Burlington Ave. and continued their lives together.

Judy was a world class homemaker, gardener, seamstress – she made all the shirts and dresses for her family. She was also an amazing baker, cook, canner, jelly maker, wine maker, her specialty was rhubarb wine. She was an all around mom. A real domestic diva.

She always had a special gift with children and as her children got older she was heavily involved in their lives. She was a Cub Scout den mother and a Campfire Girls troop leader. She not only led the children in crafts and projects, but also took them on tours of the ice cream factories, potato chip factories and local mills.

As her own person she was active in flower arranging clubs and the Iris Club. Her yard was always full of flowers in the spring and summer. She also had a passion for the March of Dimes. Judy took part in the Sons of Norway because she loved to identify with her Norwegian lineage.

She worked as a playground attendant at Paxson and later in the hot lunch program in its early years.

When her children got older and began to spread their wings she began working as a secretary again. First with Safeway Supply for many years then for D&G Crane Service, which she was a partner of.

Judy always lead an upbeat life style even though she became crippled by rheumatoid arthritis at an early age. It didn't really slow her down. She was an inspiration of optimism and perseverance. She was always there for anyone and could not seem to help others enough.

Judy loved going to the cabin at Flathead Lake, fishing with Harold for salmon and hanging out at the family fish farm in Turah. She enjoyed cooking gourmet dinners for the family get together and holidays.

In her later years, her four granddaughters and seven great-grandchildren were at the center of her life.

Judy is preceded in death by younger brother, Jim Hansen, and her daughter Marie Ruth Davis, who was lost in an accident in 1979.

Judy is survived by her husband Harold G. Davis; son Michael P. Davis and wife Pam Davis of Turah; sisters Joan Hiedman and Janet McMasters and loving granddaughters, Anne Buck (Brandon) of Turah, Jenna Davis of Turah, Sarah Hoffman (Michael) of East Missoula and Rebecca Davis of Missoula and her seven great-grandchildren, which she dearly loved to spoil. Judy also will be missed by numerous other extended family members.

She has made a huge positive impact on all those whom she knew and loved through out her lifetime.

How wonderful it was to look back and remember when I was growing up and all of my friends told me "Your mom is so cool! I wish my mom was like yours!"

The family is grateful to Partners in Home Care for their wonderful care and Hospice program that brought mom home in her final weeks.

A memorial gathering of family and friends will be held Friday, June 17, at Garden City Funeral Home at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers memorials in Judy's name may be made to the March of Dimes.