Joan Bernise Davidson

Beautiful, Kind, Classy, Intelligent, Funny, beloved mother, grandmother, Aunt, sister and cherished wife of 63 years, died Sunday, December 8, 2013 at 83. She is survived by her loving husband Clarence "Dave" A Davidson; her beloved children to whom she dedicated every fiber of her being, Margaret Ellen Carbonatta and husband Alain of Colundra, QLD; Janie Daniels and husband, Michael of Tijeras, NM; John C. Davidson and partner, Joan Irey of Albuquerque, NM; Mary Beth Maloy and husband, Dion Patrick of Albuquerque, NM; Christi M. Mayer and husband, Randy of Albuquerque, NM; Carol Lee Andersen and husband, Kevin of Houston, TX. Joan took exceptional delight in all of her grandchildren, Katharine Gilmore Mosley, David Gilmore, Steven Gilmore, JT Daniels, Kelly Klein, Kyle Mayer, Ryan Mayer, Katelyn Maloy, Lindsey Maloy, Taylor Andersen, Zachary Andersen, Alicia Irwin, Brandi Garner and Alisha and her four great-grandchildren. Mrs. Davidson was preceded in death by her parents, John and Margret Stockman of Long Island New York where Joan was raised and lived until she married Dave at 22 years of age whilst he served in the Navy. Joan was very proud of her education, receiving a double degree in Business and English from Adelphi, blazing a trail as one of the first women to achieve such a liberal degree in the 1940's. She truly loved learning and delighted in her children and grandchildren opening their minds through education, either formal or self-directed through living life. She sat with all six of her children night after night ensuring no shortcuts were taken and her kids excelled at the peril of her own sleep. Her children sent their children back to her, ensuring the legacy of her rigor was not missed on the next generation. Only Joan could excel at growing camellias, rare poppies along with every type of flower, plant or bush in between. The harsh environment was no match for her green thumb, she delighted in the birds in her back yard and they delighted in her glorious garden. Year after year the hummingbirds were guided to her vibrant, fragrant masterpiece in addition to her neighbors, to witness the oasis she annually created in the desert of New Mexico. Joan, lived life so fully with joy, tenderness and sprit; among other elements marking her life, were making sumptuous Christmas treats with her children, great pride in living within her means, she delighted in new words, her dictionary always close at hand to incorporate a fabulous new word into her repertoire. Competitive cards brought out the sprit in her, the more competitive the better, it was this great fight in her that kept her on this earth longer then the medical profession could ever fathom. As an avid lifelong learner, every book fiction or non-fiction would be absorbed in its entirety in a day or two. Her love of books out weighed her utter distaste for new technology and you could always find her with her nose squarely in a new book on her kindle. Entrenched in our memory will be falling to sleep listening to her playing piano, sometime alone, sometimes with her children on their chosen instrument, she ensured all her kids were indoctrinated into the arts she loved so deeply and compromised doing things for herself so her kids were enriched. Joan was a master at the sewing machine, her five daughters could not wait to see what would appear, from the high school students through to her toddlers baby doll transcending one and half decades, no piece of fabric was wasted, all of her kids impeccably dressed. Her passion for travel and new cultures took her around the world more than once, she did not stop when she travelled, every nuance of new culture absorbed, no moment wasted, language, food, wine and community, she experienced it all through living it fully. Joan loved her friends completely and was always there to listen; she never forgot a birthday, a significant moment or kind words of support in a time of need. She was a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Community and lived a deeply spiritual life of faith and dedication. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, December 20, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at FRENCH - Lomas. Her Memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, December 21, 2013, 1:00 p.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 12500 Carmel Ave NE. Interment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery.

Joan Bernise Davidson

December 11, 1929 - December 8, 2013