She was born February 15, 1925 to Alexander and Ethel Gall in North Dakota and grew up in Fort Benton and later Great Falls Montana. Her children loved hearing stories about the lives of her ancestors on the western frontier, covered wagons and the pioneer adventure, her family said.
In 1945, she married Herbert (Bud) Davis, a New Yorker, in the air force, stationed in Montana. Together they moved to New York City, and had six children. In 1958 they moved to Monsey, now Chestnut Ridge to raise those children. Joyce continued to live there for 60 years until 2017 when she went to live in an assisted living residence in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania.
Every couple of years they traveled back to visit her large family and explore western United States, including Yellowstone, Glacier and other beautiful American landscapes. Later they expanded their passion for travel to other countries.
Although she would primarily consider herself a homemaker, she worked for many years in the Nanuet Public Library, a perfect environment for an avid reader, who loved working with people. She loved her home, her garden, church, her dear friends and beloved husband of almost 50 years. Her children, who remember a gentle soul with a ready smile, will miss her dearly.
She is survived by three children, Stephen Davis of Raleigh, North Carolina, Paula Murray of Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania and Kate Davis Longo of Amagansett, NY, four grandchildren, Liam and Timothy Aulet, Dana Vandervort, Jordan Lombardi and four great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband and three of her children: Phillip Davis, Lorraine Lombardi and Janet Aulet.
The wake is planned at Wanamaker & Carlough in Suffern, New York, Tuesday, May 1, 2018 from 5-7PM. She will be buried Wednesday, May 2nd after Mass at Church of Presentation in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey at 10AM.
The family has suggested donations in her memory to Meals On Wheels, https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/take-action/give
