Martha (Day) Davidson

Martha Day Davidson passed away peacefully on May 7, 2024, at the age of 96.

She was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on Jan. 17, 1928, to parents George and Mildred Day. Along with her younger sister Nancy, her family lived in Maryland, Missouri and Rhode Island. She often shared memories of a happy childhood where she attended Lincoln School in Providence and Waukeela Camp in New Hampshire. At Lincoln, she loved being in plays and Glee Club and learned to play tennis.

Mt. Holyoke was her college of choice, where she majored in Child Psychology and was on the rowing team. Before graduation, she married and moved to Montana, where she graduated from University of Montana in Missoula in 1949. She spent a summer at a fire lookout station with her husband near the Bob Marshall Wilderness. There were lots of bears!

She lived in Miles City until 1957 and then in Billings. She was able to get her first horse and took many fun rides with friends. Another move in 1960 took the family to Annandale, Virginia. She and her children returned to Billings in 1963, where she went back to college to earn her teaching credentials. She worked as a bank teller and dental assistant while raising her three children. Once she graduated, she accepted a job at Huntley Project School teaching first grade and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Martha met her beloved second husband Richard “Dick” Davidson on a blind date through a mutual friend. They married on May 29, 1966, and were married for 54 years before his death. They had many adventures in their time together and lived in Greeley, Colorado, and Billings. They traveled all over the world in retirement. One of her favorite trips was visiting Sweden to meet Dick’s relatives. Her children and grandchildren were able to join them on a trip or two. Great fun! A family reunion at Flathead Lake was a time of celebration in 2016. Martha celebrated her 95th birthday at Westpark Village with family and friends.

Martha enjoyed many hobbies. She loved horseback riding, tennis, skiing, and learned to scuba dive and snorkel. As a lifelong learner, it made her happy to, read, sew, try new recipes, and play Bridge. Knitting perfect Norwegian ski sweaters for her family was a favorite evening task. She was a proud member of P. E.O. for over 50 years. Along with a group of wonderful friends, Martha practiced speaking Spanish and visited Spain and Mexico. Seeing Wimbledon was a favorite memory. She and Dick visited children and grandchildren in Alaska and Colorado and continued to ski for as long as they were able. They played an active role in the First Presbyterian Church, where she spent many years singing in the choir.

She enjoyed living at Westpark Village and made many friends. In an interview there, she attributed her longevity to staying active. She said, “My faith plays a big part also, to remain cheerful and helpful to others.”

Martha was preceded in death by her husband Dick, parents and sister Nancy Day. She is survived by her three children, Melinda (Bill) Dale of Willow, Alaska, Robert (Grace) Davidson of Fort Collins, Colorado, and David (Cindy) Davidson of Billings; nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She is mourned by many close friends too numerous to list but all treasured and loved.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Billings; Rescue Mission New Building Fund, Billings; Special K Ranch Foundation, Columbus; or Intermountain Children’s Home Foundation, 500 S. Lamborn St., Helena, MT 59601.

A celebration of her life will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 14, at the First Presbyterian Church, 2420 13th St. West, Billings.

A livestream of the service will be available at facebook.com\fpcbillings .