Esther Davies

September 12, 1923 - May 2, 2022

Esther Davies, 98, of Berkeley, CA. passed away peacefully on May 2, 2022 at Elmwood Care Center. Esther was born on Sept. 12, 1923 in New York City, NY to Rebeka Salzman. She was married twice and her career included working for the Marshall Plan in Paris after WW2 and for Magnum Photos in NY. She and her second husband Aubrey Davies moved to Lubec, Maine and had a sheep farm. Their only child, Michael, was born there in 1959. Following her divorce from Aubrey, Esther and Michael moved to Cambridge, MA. and ran a dressmaking business. In 1966, they moved to San Francisco, CA, where she worked at UCSF medical center as a secretary. In 1971, they moved to Berkeley so that Esther could attend the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland.

After graduating in 1977 with a Master of Fine Arts, Esther established a home studio in Berkeley. She specialized in enamel work, silver and gold jewelry, and beautiful large wall hangings. She also made contemporary-styled mezuzas, ceremonial wedding rings, and in later years, beaded dreidels and handbags. Esther was respected in the Bay Area artists community, and she juried into many of the country’s most selective craft shows.

Esther is survived by her son Michael, daughter-inlaw, Kim, and grandchildren Paul, Eric, and Julia, all of New Haven, CT. She will be cremated according to her wishes. Memorial contributions can be made to one of several art-based organizations such as The Art Room, The Art of Elysium, or to a charity of your choice.