Barbara Davies

Barbara Davies of Kinnelon, NJ passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on January 25, 2022.
She was born in Charlottesville, VA on September 13, 1940 as the only child of Paul and Elizabeth Hamm. She enjoyed a wholesome childhood on a farm in McLean, consisting of private piano lessons, tennis lessons, sewing with her mother, vegetable canning, and southern cooking. Barbara graduated from McLean High School in 1959 and began work as a bank teller at the age of 18. Her travels led her west where she studied political science for two years at Brigham Young University in Provo, UT.
In 1965, she married the love of her life, Robert Gunn Davies, a handsome Navy Lieutenant. She and Robert moved around for a few years (from Virginia, to Seattle, and then to Morristown), before finally settling in Kinnelon by 1969. With two children, they quickly outgrew their first home-a cozy log cabin on Cliff Trail in Fayson Lakes-and Smoke Rise became their new home in 1971. Barbara thrived in her new community, playing competitive tennis at the Smoke Rise Tennis Club, cooking with the Gourmet Club, and playing bells at the Community Church. Through these activities she made many great friends, including "the girls," and found her place in Kinnelon. She involved all of her children (there were now four) in a multitude of sports and prided herself on raising strong young athletes.
Barbara had impeccable style, and for decades, she designed window treatments, upholstery, and other decorative accessories for many homes in Kinnelon. Later, she worked as a wedding registry consultant at Fortunoff, sharing her design expertise and helping couples start their new homes. Fortunoff was where Barbara formed many of her cherished friendships.
An important part of Barbara's life was her faith with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. There she was blessed with Sunday services, made lifelong friends, and took part in community service.
After moving out of Smoke Rise, she retired at Bald Eagle Commons in West Milford where she lived independently, and her bright, outgoing nature carried over into the new community. She loved going out with her friends for pizza nights and Friday night bingo games. She also loved entertaining family during special occasions.
Her last two years were spent in Smoke Rise with Bruce's family. She enjoyed frequent piano and vocal recitals, movie nights, the family dogs, relaxing on the patio during sunny afternoons, and watching the grandkids build snowmen outside her window during the winter.
Barbara is survived by her children Michael, Carolyn, Bruce (Christiana), Brian (Anna), and her seven grandchildren Payten, Celeste, Andrew, Zoe, Ella, Alexia, and Jackson.
Viewing will be on Monday, January 31 at 12 noon at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 30 Youngs Road, Mahwah, NJ. Funeral services will be at 1pm, followed by a luncheon. Burial will take place on February 1 in Falls Church, VA at 1pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Philanthropies: https://donate.churchofjesuschrist.org/donations/church/humanitarian-services/humanitarian-aid-fund?cde2=475-home&lang=eng