Judith M. Davis

PETERSHAM - Judith M. (Sprenger) Davis, 87, of 87 Maple Lane, Petersham, died Sunday, September 7, 2008 at home. She was born December 26, 1920 in Coblenz, Germany, a daughter of James Albert and Judith (Boyer) Sprenger. She grew up in Buffalo, NY but spent early years in Germany and Paris, France when her father was working with the U.S. Army of Occupation and the YMCA between the wars. She attended Bryn Mawr College, Radcliffe and graduated with a BS in psychology from the University of Delaware in 1967. She was the President of the Library trustees for Petersham Memorial Library and hosted their annual Library picnic for many years. She was an active volunteer for the Oxford, PA Library and the Petersham Memorial Library. She also served as den mother for the Girl Scouts, taught Sunday school and swimming. She enjoyed camping with her children on Assateague Island, reading, writing and had a life long love affair with words and books. She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Kenneth Davis, her sister Carol Allen and her brother David Sprenger. She is survived by her daughter Cornelia Davis, and four sons, Angus Davis, James Davis, David Davis, and MacDonald Tripeny; four daughters-in-law, Tammy Davis, Luidmila and Karen Davis and Maria Tripeny; thirteen grandchildren, and one great grandson. She worked as a social worker with the Department of Social Services of Delaware for many years prior to moving, with her husband Ken, to Carrara, Italy where he worked as a sculptor and she made silver jewelry utilizing designs from Etruscan, Celtic, Chimu and other ancient traditions. After living for ten years in Italy, she moved to Pennsylvania to be closer to her family. She then moved to Petersham in 1994 upon the death of her husband. She wrote extensively in her later years producing essays, commentaries, short stories, poems and memoirs from her long life, numerous of which were published. She was an active member of the Wachusett Writers and Poets Club and took writing courses at MWCC until this past year. She was an enthusiastic gardener, making beautiful vegetable and flower gardens wherever she lived. She was an excellent cook and taught and learned from her family and friends about the methods of cooking and preserving foods. But since childhood her favorite dish of all was ice cream. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name could be made to the Petersham Memorial Library, On the Common, Petersham, MA 01366. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.fiskefuneralhome.com. Fiske Funeral Home, 1356 Main Street, Athol, is directing arrangements. "February, the bottom of the year" Now listen child, you must be wary; There is no luck in February. Heed wisdom's counsel and beware Of perils lurking everywhere, Don't cross the street, nor ever dare To climb without a banister the stair. Don't take a train, nor board a ferry, Of grave decisions just be wary, The plans of mice and men miscarry, There is no luck in February. -JMcCD $(document).ready(function(){ });