Phyllis J. Davidson (Johnson)

Phyllis J. Davidson left this world on July 16, 2020, three days after her 93rd birthday, wrapped up in the warmth and love of her family and trusting in God’s promise to take her home. 

She was born Phyllis Johnson on July 13, 1927 in New Britain, CT, the fifth and youngest child of Edith (Kallberg) Johnson and Carl E. Johnson. She graduated valedictorian of her Berlin High School Class of 1944 and was the first woman in her family to attend college. While completing her degree in English from Upsala College in East Orange, NJ, she met and fell in love with her husband, the late Rev. Roger M. Davidson. They were married at First Lutheran Church in New Britain, Ct in 1951. Phyllis and Roger moved to Geneva, Illinois where they served their first parish and started their family. They spent seven years at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brattleboro, Vermont and then moved to Holden, Massachusetts in 1960, where they raised four daughters and served Immanuel Lutheran Church for 20 years. Phyl’s life as a Pastor’s wife centered around raising her kids, creating a happy home and contributing to church life. She loved to garden, play the piano, and host large gatherings of family and friends.

As empty nesters the couple left Holden in 1980 and continued their service at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cromwell, CT. After Roger’s passing, Phyl returned to her home church in New Britain where she was church secretary for 10 years, founded the local chapter of a support group for widows and sang in the choir.  She traveled often to see her daughters and enjoyed being “Grandma” to an ever-growing family.  She was also close to her large extended family and enjoyed the company of her sister, brothers, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, many nieces and nephews and countless cousins. 

After retiring from First Lutheran she lived in Newington, CT and later Farmington, CT, before moving to Peachtree City, GA where she spent her final years living with her daughter Kirsten and family. A life-long Lutheran, Phyl’s Christian faith, love of family and connection to her Swedish heritage sustained her throughout her life. She will be remembered for her thoughtfulness, her love of music, her unwavering faith, and the twinkle she always had in her eye when surrounded by loved ones. 

Phyllis was predeceased by her husband, Roger Davidson, two brothers, Carl “Bud” Johnson and Norman Johnson, sisters Marjorie Johnson and Virginia Johnson. She is survived by four daughters; Deborah Coan and her husband Kevin of Nazareth, PA, Robin Davidson-Catalano and her husband Greg Catalano of Acton, MA, Kirsten Abresch and husband Mark of Peachtree City, GA and Jill Davidson-Moffie and husband Gary Moffie of Beverly, MA; seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to First Lutheran Church of the Reformation, 77 Franklin Square, New Britain, CT, 06051. Due to the pandemic, a celebration of her life will be held at a future date when it is safe for us to gather again.