EDITH DAVIDSON
1929-2019
Edith (Edy) Stjernholm Bondesen Jorgensen Davidson, 89, slipped the bonds of time to be forever with her Lord on January 10, 2019. Edy was born in Houston, Texas on February 27, 1929. She was the fifth of six children. Her family nickname was “Baby” because her parents thought she was going to be their last child. Her parents were both natives of Denmark, and Edy was proficient all her life speaking, reading and writing in her native tongue. She passed along many Danish traditions to her family by embracing them in her cooking, entertaining and decorating.
As a young girl, Edy became interested in violin. She often attended lessons with another danish youngster, Kay Leo Jorgensen, Jr. Kay’s dad, also danish, always liked little “Edith” and loved to tease her by pulling her long blonde pigtails. Edith was smitten with her violin partner at an early age.
Edy graduated from Jeff Davis High School at the tender age of 16 and went to Austin to attend the University of Texas. The pressure of the financial commitment from her parents weighed on her from the moment she left, and she stayed at U.T. for just one year.
As one might have guessed, Edy reconnected with her childhood friend, Kay. They fell in love and were married on February 4, 1948. They settled in Houston where Kay became a dentist and Edy a homemaker. In her role, Edy excelled at everything. She was an excellent cook, seamstress, family organizer and mother, and even an airplane pilot. She took the children camping in the summers, skiing in the winters, and taxied to piano lessons, dance lessons, drill team, scouts, choir and sports. She also showed the children the importance of experiencing Christianity by her faithful attendance in church with them.
Edy’s children Sheryl, Lynn and Eric benefited greatly from her many talents. She often said that her most important role in life was being a mother, and she did her best to fulfill that role. When Edy was just 38 years old, her husband of 19 years died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 39. After the shock of his death, Edy continued to raise her three children, worked in a Danish furniture import business and kept right on singing in her choir at St. Francis Episcopal Church. She was often featured as a soloist with her beautiful soprano voice.
Through a choir friend, Edy met Thomas M. (Scotty) Davidson. After a brief courtship, they were married on June 26, 1970 and moved to the Pacific Northwest in August of 1972. While living in Seattle, Edy went back to school, earning her degree in Scandinavian Studies at the age of 51. She was proudest of graduating Phi Beta Kappa, an award she shares with her grandson, Forrest Bratton. With Scotty, she was able to explore her adventurous side learning how to live and tour the northwest on their boat, the “Star Island.” (That is Stjernholm in English) She became an excellent “mate” to Scotty as they did everything available to do in their magical setting, including catching and canning their own salmon. Their oldest grandson, Carl, caught the largest salmon of all, weighing in at 62 pounds. Most of the children and grandchildren had the opportunity to experience boating with “Mormor and Gramps.” They were very fortunate to enjoy their hobby for nearly fifteen years, before their advancing ages made it impossible to continue boating.
Back in Houston, Edy and Scotty attended St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Edy loved singing in the church choir. After moving to Bayou Manor, Edy became involved with Choraliers and was often a featured soloist at programs of all kinds. She loved going to choir and she gave it her all. Her voice was lovely right up until she became ill.
Edy was preceded in death by her parents, K.V.S. Bondesen and Johanne Jensen, her sisters Karen, Else and Ellen and her brothers William and Norman. She is survived by her daughter Sheryl Kay Jorgensen and husband Marty Adams, daughter Terry Lynn Jorgensen, son Robert Eric Jorgensen and wife Rose, grandchildren Juan Carlos (Carl) Loredo and wife Kelley, Lindsay Jorgensen Ryan and husband Jason Rosoff, Austin James Bratton and wife Robin, Forrest Kyle Bratton and wife Katy and Kai Christian Jorgensen, great grandchildren Ainsley Jane and Gage Thomas Loredo, Eleanor Lynn, Turner James and David Austin Bratton, Ian Hamish and Niels Aaron Bratton and Dane Richard and Reid Ryan Rosoff.
Edy is also survived by brother-in-law Bill Jorgensen and wife Martha and sisters in law, Nancy Murphy and Ella Dunbar and husband Rolfe, step-sons Brian Davidson and wife Devra Hayes, Bruce Davidson and Doug Davidson and wife Lynne, her step grandchildren Rusty, Bennie and Jeffrey Davidson, Audrey and Sydney Davidson and great grandchildren Austin, Monroe, Kalea, Anthony, Cash and Royal Davidson.
The family would like to thank Bayou Manor Healthcare and Encore Caregivers for their faithful and loving care.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 15, 2019 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home 4525 Bissonnet St., Bellaire, TX 77401. Memorial Service will be at 10:30 AM Saturday, February 16, 2019 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church 5308 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77005. Graveside service to follow at 2:00 PM at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery 6900 Lawndale Ave., Houston, TX 77023.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Edy’s memory to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church 5308 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77005, the Residence Assistance Program at Bayou Manor 4141 South Braeswood, Houston, TX 77025 or the charity of your choice.
Condolences may be offered at www.earthmanbellairefuneralhome.com