Mary Joyce Davies

Mary Joyce (nee Liscom) Davies passed away on November 15, 2010, in Marblehead She always downplayed her career and work ambitions, deferring to and supporting her husband’s ambitions and job decisions. This was the standard cultural norm in their generation. Her survivors might focus their tributes to her on her lifelong services to the needs and interests of her children, grandchildren, friends, and husband of more than 60 years. She had the knack of making and keeping many good friends.

But this emphasis masks her many achievements apart from the family. She served successfully for 25 years as an historical interpreter (tour guide) at the House of Seven Gables in Salem, Mass. She received many commendations from tourists about her tours. She was activist employee at the Gables, sometimes constructively challenging management decisions that she thought were not in the best interest of the institution. She developed good friendships with a number of her fellow Guides and employees.

Her first job after graduating from UCLA was as a third grade teacher at the elementary school in Malibu, California. Other short term jobs to make money while she and her husband were struggling financially in the early years of her marriage include work as a clerk at a large insurance agency in Los Angeles, teaching in a pre-school in East Harlem, and working as a interviewer in Berkeley, California, for a Princeton University study of contraception and family.

In the early 1960’s when living in Bethesda in suburban Washington DC she joined with other politically-interested women in an organization they labeled “The Nameless Sisterhood.” This was an early feminist effort by politically-connected women in Washington to study feminist issues and consider action on them. The members were mostly from Minnesota and included Congressional

wives.

She joined with others in efforts to assist the Scotland Community, an old and poor semi-rural; black community in Montgomery County Maryland aimed at getting new housing built and providing tutoring and other assistance to the residents.

In Marblehead in the late 1970’s and early 1980’she led a small, quiet effort to solve the problems dogs running loose and annoying dog waste littering the sidewalks. She was able to get the Selectmen to support an article on the Town Meeting Warrant to require that all dogs be leashed and that the owners pick up the dog’s deposits. This was passed easily, and the problem was largely solved. Now, picking up after dogs is an accepted part of the town culture.

Joyce was born in 1927 in Los Angeles, graduated from Beverly Hills High School and from UCLA with a Bachelor’s Degree. She was elected president of her sorority, Pi Beta Phi. She was a long-time member of the Mother Church of the Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston and a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Marblehead. She and her husband lived in Marblehead since 1975.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Don Davies of Marblehead, two daughters, Donna Davies of Acton. MA and Druanne Davies of Marshfield, MA and Donna’s spouse Sabra Perkins, and daughter Amanda; Druanne’s husband, Dr. Tod Forman, and three children Christa Forman, William Forman, and Laura Forman; and her sister and brother-in-law Joanne and Dr. Robert Pawlo of Sausalito, California, and their five children. Dana, Ronald, Mindy, Brenda, and Caroline. She was pre-deceased by her brother Leslie Liscom. He left his wife Jacqueline Liscom, and three children. William, David, and Jill.

For friends and family there will be an informal open house to celebrate Joyce’s life

at the home that Joyce and Don shared happily for 35 years at 41 Pleasant Street in Marblehead anytime between noon and three on Saturday, November 27 (the Saturday after Thanksgiving.)

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the National Osteoporosis

Foundation, 1150 17th. Street NW, Suite 850, Washington DC 20036. www.nof.org Arrangements by the Eustis and Cornell Funeral Home, Marblehead.