Roberta F. Davis

Roberta F. Davis, 84, of Kingston, died Friday, May 10, 2013 at her home with her family by her side following a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Connelly, she was the daughter of the late Alexander & Margaret Maurer Radel and the loving niece of the late Ida Maurer. Roberta graduated from Kingston High school and attended New Paltz Teacher's College. She was a parishioner of St. Joseph's Church, Kingston, NY. Roberta enjoyed 64 years of marriage with her husband, Bruce. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, always loving and supporting her family in any way she could. Roberta gave to the community through her involvement in Cornell Cooperative Extension, Girl Scouts of America and the Hillside Acres Garden Club. She was an avid reader, collector, cook, seamstress, decorator, traveler and gardener. In her later years, Roberta enjoyed working at Kimm's oriental gift shop, creating displays and assisting customers with the perfect selection. While living in Japan, Roberta enriched her passion for flowers by studying Ikebana, the traditional art of Japanese flower arranging. She received her teaching certificate from the Ichiyo School, Tokyo, Japan. She was a long standing member of New York Tachibana, the Hudson Valley chapter of the Ikenobo School of Ikebana where she continued her studies. Roberta shared this enthusiasm through demonstrations, providing arrangements for anyone who asked and participating in flower shows where she was awarded numerous ribbons. As a member of Wiltwyck Golf Club, she often volunteered to decorate the clubhouse for various functions through the years. Roberta especially loved her flower gardens and backyard where she created a haven for birds and wildlife. She is survived by four children, Leslie Davis of Kingston, Janetta Riffenburg (Michael) of Spartanburg, SC, Stephanie Preston (Keith) of Dalton, MA and Robert Davis (Jessica) of New Fairfield, CT, six grandchildren, Jason, Eric, Bradley, Alyssa, Alexander and Nathaniel, two great grandchildren, Corbin and Nathan and another due in October, one brother, Jack Radel (Jane) of Shokan, NY. Many cousins, nieces and nephews also survive. She was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Bruce K. Davis who passed in May of 2012 and an infant son, Gerard Alexander. Reposing at the Simpson-Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. The funeral procession will form on Tuesday from the funeral home at 9:00 AM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Town of Shandaken. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to Spring Lake Fire Department, PO Box 3578 Kingston, NY.