Obituary for Judith M. Davis (Less)
Judith M. Davis, 89, of Cedar, Michigan passed away Thursday, March 11, 2021
at Munson Hospital after a courageous battle to live! Judy was born in October 1, of
1931 in Chicago, IL to Leo A. Less and Blanch (Jacobson) Less. Judith was
predeceased by her siblings Daniel Less and Janet (Less) Photinos, her husband of
38 years James W. Davis, a truly special great grandchild, Odin Dougherty, and the
love of her Life The Honorable, Paul Gadola who was her childhood sweetheart
with whom she had a late life romance.
Mom is survived by her four children, Jeffrey Davis (Republic, Michigan), Wendy (Davis)
Kennedy ( Maybee, Michigan), Gregory Davis (Wilton, Maine) and Matthew Davis, who lived
with her in Cedar Michigan, She has 17 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren too.
Judith graduated from Michigan State University and was a proud Spartan. She was a teacher in the
early years until the birth of her first son when she stayed home and became the best mother a
family could want. Judith played the violin and lived an interesting life as the family traveled
and lived all over the world from Biloxi, Mississippi, to Paris, France, Waco, Texas to Stuttgart,
Germany, Bangor, Maine to Fusa, Japan with postings to many other U.S. locations in between.
Mom was a long time community theater fan and member of the Shoreline Players in Oscoda, Michigan
where she acted, sometimes in the leading roles in productions like “Ten Little
Indians”, Damn Yankees” and “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum” she also directed and
made the best costumes. She loved to write poetry and write long letters. She loved to sew and
made many lovely things for her kids and grandkids and great grandkids. Her real
avocation was making wonderful hand sewn dolls - and stuffed animals - many of her own design — the
most recent finished just a few weeks ago - a lovely pair of dolls that look just like her son Jeff
and his wife Jackie (Miron) Davis.
Judith’s greatest love was her children in whom she instilled the same independence
and curiosity and passion for knowledge that she herself possessed. She encouraged
each of them to pursue their dreams and to be the best they could be. She put up with three boys
and a girl who had as pets snakes and turtles and alligators, and even a monkey and a horse. Her
greatest wish to see them grown and happy was fulfilled.
In later years, Judith lived with her son Matt in Cedar, Michigan and has been a proud Leelanau
resident for nearly 22 years where she loved the rolling hills, the National Park, the beautiful
beaches and the wonderful people. She loved to feed the wild birds and sometimes they would sit on
her hand to eat, she also chased away and battled the squirrels with vigor. In the
hardware store in Cedar they called her “Squirrel Lady” … a title she adored.
The Family and Judith wanted to say a special “thank you” to Dr. Thomas Lammy, Dr. Mistry and staff
of Suttons Bay, to Share Care of Leelanau, To Jolynn Davis of Empire who helped her in her home and
did her hair, and all the Nurses, Doctors and staff of Munson Hospital for their excellent care and
support. The family will gather this summer for a service and internment of her ashes in the
Cleveland Township Cemetery. To visit her memorial page or post and view pictures visit
www.oakgrovefh.com
at Munson Hospital after a courageous battle to live! Judy was born in October 1, of
1931 in Chicago, IL to Leo A. Less and Blanch (Jacobson) Less. Judith was
predeceased by her siblings Daniel Less and Janet (Less) Photinos, her husband of
38 years James W. Davis, a truly special great grandchild, Odin Dougherty, and the
love of her Life The Honorable, Paul Gadola who was her childhood sweetheart
with whom she had a late life romance.
Mom is survived by her four children, Jeffrey Davis (Republic, Michigan), Wendy (Davis)
Kennedy ( Maybee, Michigan), Gregory Davis (Wilton, Maine) and Matthew Davis, who lived
with her in Cedar Michigan, She has 17 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren too.
Judith graduated from Michigan State University and was a proud Spartan. She was a teacher in the
early years until the birth of her first son when she stayed home and became the best mother a
family could want. Judith played the violin and lived an interesting life as the family traveled
and lived all over the world from Biloxi, Mississippi, to Paris, France, Waco, Texas to Stuttgart,
Germany, Bangor, Maine to Fusa, Japan with postings to many other U.S. locations in between.
Mom was a long time community theater fan and member of the Shoreline Players in Oscoda, Michigan
where she acted, sometimes in the leading roles in productions like “Ten Little
Indians”, Damn Yankees” and “A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum” she also directed and
made the best costumes. She loved to write poetry and write long letters. She loved to sew and
made many lovely things for her kids and grandkids and great grandkids. Her real
avocation was making wonderful hand sewn dolls - and stuffed animals - many of her own design — the
most recent finished just a few weeks ago - a lovely pair of dolls that look just like her son Jeff
and his wife Jackie (Miron) Davis.
Judith’s greatest love was her children in whom she instilled the same independence
and curiosity and passion for knowledge that she herself possessed. She encouraged
each of them to pursue their dreams and to be the best they could be. She put up with three boys
and a girl who had as pets snakes and turtles and alligators, and even a monkey and a horse. Her
greatest wish to see them grown and happy was fulfilled.
In later years, Judith lived with her son Matt in Cedar, Michigan and has been a proud Leelanau
resident for nearly 22 years where she loved the rolling hills, the National Park, the beautiful
beaches and the wonderful people. She loved to feed the wild birds and sometimes they would sit on
her hand to eat, she also chased away and battled the squirrels with vigor. In the
hardware store in Cedar they called her “Squirrel Lady” … a title she adored.
The Family and Judith wanted to say a special “thank you” to Dr. Thomas Lammy, Dr. Mistry and staff
of Suttons Bay, to Share Care of Leelanau, To Jolynn Davis of Empire who helped her in her home and
did her hair, and all the Nurses, Doctors and staff of Munson Hospital for their excellent care and
support. The family will gather this summer for a service and internment of her ashes in the
Cleveland Township Cemetery. To visit her memorial page or post and view pictures visit
www.oakgrovefh.com