Florence Davidson

JEROME • Florence Kay Davidson died on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014, after a year-long struggle with increasing health complications from rheumatoid arthritis.

Kay was born in Brigham City, Utah, on May 31, 1944, the third child of Ellsworth Hardy and Barbara Lucille Hardy. Five more children were born after her, and from a young age Kay was a caregiver for her brothers and sisters. Her childhood was spent in Highland, Utah, where her family operated a farm. When she was 15 years old, her family moved to Eden, Idaho, and built a dairy farm. Kay grew up helping to make the dairy work. Her whole life she conveyed a respect for agriculture and an appreciation of hard work.

Kay met her husband, Joe, in Eden. They both graduated from Valley High School in 1962, and were married on her birthday, May 31, that same year and later sealed in the Boise Temple on Dec. 28, 1989. Kay and Joe moved around northern Utah, southern Idaho, and Lewiston, Idaho, as they built their life together. They had four daughters followed by two sons: Angie, Jodie, Christy, Stephanie, Mark, and Brock. Ultimately, they settled in Jerome, and Kay and Joe both became deeply engaged with the community. In 2012, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Kay served many leadership and service roles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in the community generally. She taught Cub Scout troops how to tie knots and cook Dutch oven meals, and she led teenage girls on camping trips. She served on the Jerome Friends of the Library committee and helped to expand the library’s collection and its programs.

Kay created beauty in many ways throughout her life. She sewed all her daughters’ clothes when they were young, and her handmade quilts have comforted many family members and friends. She grew a remarkable garden, and she canned beautiful jars of peaches, beans, and tomatoes. She made delicious rolls and strawberry jam.

Kay had an extraordinary work ethic. She loved to read, but she rarely was seen sitting. She always was doing. And all of her work was devoted to helping others. She doted on her grandchildren. She cared for her mother and more than one sibling in the final stages of their lives, easing their suffering with her thoughtful attention and a warm blanket. She always was deeply attentive to the needs of others. Kay’s life was defined by compassionate service to family, neighbors, and even strangers.

Kay is survived by her husband, Joe; four daughters Angie Prater (Andy) of Boise, Idaho; Jodie Timmons (Robert) of Jerome, Idaho; Christy Bishop (Greg) of Park City, Utah; and Stephanie Higginbotham (David) of Provo, Utah; two sons, Mark Davidson (Jennifer) of Hailey, Idaho; and Brock Davidson of Reno, Nev.; 16 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She also is survived by two brothers, Brent and Dale, and one sister, Barbara.

A visitation will be held Monday evening, Dec. 15, at the Jerome LDS 6th Ward Chapel, 506 N. Tiger Drive in Jerome, where family and friends may call from 6-8 p.m. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, in the Jerome LDS 6th Ward Chapel, 506 N. Tiger Drive in Jerome, with Bishop Darin Dimond officiating. A visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in the Jerome Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Farnsworth Mortuary, 1343 S. Lincoln in Jerome.