Rosamund Elisabeth Davis
March 26, 1932 - October 11, 2018
Bellingham
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Rosamund Elisabeth Davis
March 26, 1932 - October 11, 2018
Bellingham
Obituary
ROSAMUND E. DAVIS (March 26, 1932 – October 11, 2018) daughter of the late Goode & Martha Davis, Nashville, TN. Co-founder, with Vivien Cyrus, of Bellingham Montessori School, “The Children’s House” (A.M.I) for 18 years, from 1972 – 1990, and pioneer of The Montessori Method of Education in Bellingham.
“God’s Love and Divine Blessings, Always.” -V&R
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Bellingham Montessori Pioneer
A Tribute
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Rosamund Elisabeth Overton Davis
1932-2018
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Daughter of Goode P. Davis (portraitist: painted President Franklin D. Roosevelt) & Martha Davis (neé Dickinson) of Nashville, Tennessee.
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I first met Rosamund in 1964 in Paris at a dinner party. She was then married to Alan Cooper of Nashville, Tennessee, who was employed by a French architectural firm. They were the first Americans I had ever met, little realizing how that encounter would strongly influence the course of my entire life.
The last descendant of and illustrious dual historic lineage, beginning with Pilgrim and Plymouth Colony Governor, William Bradford (paternal), Henry Middleton, President of the Second Continental Congress (maternal), and two signers of the Declaration of Independence, John Morton (paternal), and Arthur Middleton (maternal), continuing on in an impressive line of Statesmen ending with Presidential Appointments conferred upon her paternal grandfather, Norman H. Davis, by Presidents Woodrow Wilson (Undersecretary of The Treasury), Herbert Hoover (Chairman of Geneva Disarmament Conference), and President Franklin D. Roosevelt during each of his terms of office (Ambassador-at-Large, Economic Advisor, and Chairman of the American Red Cross during World War I).
It is worthy to mention here that under the leadership of Norman H. Davis, the Red Cross established relief programs for civilian war victims and prisoners of war and oversaw the dramatic expansion of the Red Cross Volunteer Base, and the variety of services offered during wartime. It was he who introduced the new and vitally important Red Cross blood services, which saved thousands of lives during the war and thereafter. History also records that it was upon Norman H. Davis’s advice that President Roosevelt demanded “…nothing less than an unconditional surrender…” from Germany.
Rosamund dearly loved, and was particularly proud of, this grandfather who, despite his great wealth (he was a brilliant economist) chose to devote his entire life to public service.
Neither her lineage, nor her own enviable and interesting encounters with Crowned Heads and Heads-Of-State during her youth made any dent whatsoever on her quiet, unassuming nature. “Although I feel honoured to have emerged from such a noble lineage, I can hardly lay claim to any credit for their accomplishments. My own contributions to society pale by comparison. All of the kudos belong to them, and deservedly so.”
A graduate of Vanderbilt University (Major: English Literature; Minor: Philosophy) and member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, Rosamund first worked at the American Embassy in London and then at UNESCO in Paris. She later went on to graduate from the Maria Montessori Training Institute in Washington D.C. in 1966. That same year I graduated from the same Organization in London, as a result of which we, eventually, established the first Montessori School in Bellingham, Washington in 1972; thus, our meeting in Paris punctuated what became a lifelong association.
Rosamund led a full, adventurous, and athletic life which included travelling, skiing, tennis, swimming, golf, camping, and fishing. She also had a great love and appreciation for the Classical Arts. She, herself, played the piano skillfully, and with great beauty and sensitivity. The most cherished of all her achievements, however, was the co-establishment of Bellingham Montessori School, also called The Children’s House, where she regarded teaching small children as the happiest and most fulfilling of her life’s experiences. Together, we taught more than five hundred children in this city, over a period of eighteen years, until the Arctic Storm of 1990 and an aggressive form of Rheumatoid Arthritis brought the School to a close. This, in addition to teaching children in Portland, Oregon, San Francisco & Santa Monica, California, as well as Seattle, Washington. Vivien & Rosamund went on to receive two appointments as U.S. Delegates representing Montessori Education: In 1991 to The Peoples Republic of China, and in 1992 as U.S. Delegates to Russia, Hungary, and Poland. These appointments were by invitation from the respective Ministries of Education of said countries.
After six joint-replacement operations, Rosamund’s senior years were spent in comfortable seclusion, with periodic summer visits from friends and her beloved Montessori alumnae and their offspring.
All of my experiences in the USA, from my arrival, in 1966, to the present date, have been shared with Rosamund. When I was homesick for Europe, she taught me to appreciate the great beauty, grandeur, strength and nobility of America and its people, which enabled me to establish the deepest roots of my Heart in this land. And, when I yearned for the European way of life, and for my “friends & family” there, she – and the children – filled my days with the enduring warmth and coziness of “family.” Rosamund showed me the true meaning of the word “friendship” – one which has lasted for 54 years.
Throughout that most incredible journey of our relationship, from Paris to Portland, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Seattle, and Bellingham Rosamund has been my constant, most loyal, and dearest friend, and my true sister in Christ. In all of my dreams and endeavours, she has supported and encouraged me, and has stood, steadfastly, by my side.
Rosamund was a shy, genuinely kindhearted, gentle soul, who won the hearts and respect of everyone who knew her.
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Memorial Service
- Date & Time: No Date & Time
- Venue: Moles Farewell Tributes - Bellingham
- Location: 2465 Lakeway Drive Bellingham, WA 98229 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (360) -73-3-0510
18 responses to Rosamund Elisabeth Davis
Lorinda Hines says:
October 14, 2018
Vivien and Rosamund have a special place in my heart. They were my first teachers. They were more than just teachers. They were loving, creative, funny, excellent teachers and caregivers. Vivien and Rosamund cared for “our children”, as Vivien still calls us, as if we were their own. I loved going to their school and spending my days with them. We had such good times. I learned so much from them.
I must have been one of their first pupils. I remember the way Rosamund used to play the piano for the children and accompany us with our singing. One song, in particular, I remember her playing, “Morning Has Broken” by Cat Stevens. I still always think of her when I hear that song.
Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing
Praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world
Sweet the rain’s new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dewfall on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass
Mine is the sunlight
Mine is the morning
Born of the one light Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise ev’ry morning
God’s recreation of the new day
Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing
Praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the world
Vivien and Rosamund. It is hard to separate the two names, they were so close. They seemed like total opposites: Vivien’s outgoing, lyrical voice to Rosamund’s sweet, shy, soft voice, but they complemented each other very well.
I had lost contact with them over the years, but by chance, Vivien met up with my older sister, Shelly, who didn’t go to their school, recently at Haggens in Bellingham. Vivien told my sister that Rosamund was in hospice. I was then able to renew contact with Vivien. Even under the stress and grief of losing her best friend, she was still making me laugh.
Vivien and Rosamund talked often of their children. Vivien recently told me stories about me that I had forgotten that they still remembered. Apparently, I would often tell them “I have an idea!”, especially when I was trying to get them to let me spend the night at their home, which was also their school. They thought that was so cute. She even remembered the pretty, full-skirt, green dress with “zigzag” trim that my grandmother made for me that I wore at a presentation for parents and grandparents. She said I loved to twirl in it. I do remember that. I even have a picture of me twirling in it at their B Street school before they moved to the big, beautiful Henry Street school.
I remember the plays we would perform. Rosamund would play the piano and Vivien would narrate the scenes. I remembered when we performed “Romeo and Juliet” and the pretty little girl in braids got the part of Juliet, which I wanted, but I ended up being an excellent maid to Juliet. I loved to ham it up.
I have a poor memory, but I do remember the time they came to visit my family at my grandparents’ Lummi Island cottage. I have a vivid memory about the time my mom, grandmother, Vivien, and Rosamund and I were talking in our neighbor’s living room when I peeked under Vivien’s dress. I remember it because I got in a lot of trouble with my mom and grandmother, but Vivien and Rosamund were disappointed in me which mortified me the most. I was really embarrassed about it. I must have been four or five.
Vivien and Rosamund made me feel special. That was their incredible gift. I looked up to both of them. They were truly wonderful role models. They are my favorite teachers I have ever had and were one of my inspirations to become a teacher. Thank you, Vivien and Rosamund, for everything you have done for me.
Sasha Aslanian says:
October 14, 2018
Dearest Vivien,Thank you for sharing this tribute to Rosamund with us. I knew bits of your history but it’s wonderful to read the great span of her life. I remember how gentle her voice was and the sound of her lovely southern accent when she worked with us when we were small. And her laughter, often brought on by something funny from you! My brother and I are enormously grateful we were in your first class in Bellingham and we’ve carried you in our hearts always. Much love and hugs as you gather to remember Rosamund’s life on October 20th. I know you’ll have many former students there and we wish we could be among the Children’s House family that day.
Love always,
Sasha
P.S. Kaia and Liv were so sad to hear of Rosamund’s passing. They both remember their magical visit to your home and your book.
Christine Lyzwinski says:
October 14, 2018
Rosamund was truly the most wonderful, caring, beautiful person and teacher. I was blessed to have Rosamund and Vivien for my first teachers at Bellingham Montessori School. They instilled in me a lifetime love for learning and a passion for education. Every school day when I head to my second grade classroom, I strive for the warmth, compassion and skill that these amazing teachers shared with their students. My most pronounced childhood memories are from my years at this school… Rosamund beautifully playing the piano, role playing “Peter and the Wolf” while listening for the French horn, studying the continents and creating/coloring our own maps of the world, practicing cursive writing, playing in the secret garden behind the school and cuddling with the gentle dog, Sally… a few precious memories that will last a lifetime. I was fortunate to spend time with Rosamund and Vivien over the past ten years together with my own children. They welcomed us into their home and played Chinese checkers with my kids (Rosamund beat us all!) and told them stories of when I was young. This precious, kind, brave, angelic woman will be so very missed. Vivien, we love you so very much and share in your deep sorrow of Rosamund’s passing. We are here for you and love you as family.
Amy Syre Healy says:
October 15, 2018
Chris Lyzwinski’s reflections of Rosamund (and Vivien) and the Montessori School are very similar to mine. We were students together at both schools on B Street and then on Henry Street. She did a wonderful job describing Rosamund our school work.
My twin Mia and I were students at the Montessori school both on B Street and then also on Henry Street. And then my brother Jon had his time a few years later on Henry Street. The memories with Vivien and Rosamund are some of the most special and vivid to date. I remember Rosamund’s kind blue eyes when she smiled and her gentle way. She was also very funny and could really get Vivien laughing. She had a mischevious little smile that could get us all excited. And oh how I remember her seated at the piano and playing – especially “Peter and the Wolf” on Music Day. Other memories include our cursive books, creating maps with the continents and colored pencils, window monitors, lunch in the kitchen, starting a garden and the fairy tree, learning how to tell time, Sally, the Nutcracker, and a spoonful of molasse every now and then in the kitchen when Vivien was cooking, the And and Bee books …. and this is just a small start to an impactful few years. Vivien and Rosamund instilled good etiquette, quality and care in your work, social respect and love.
I am thankful for the gift of Rosamund and Vivien (it’s hard to say one without the other). You are both LOVED by me and my family, always.
Jason Malinosky says:
October 15, 2018
I feel truly blessed to have known Rosamund. She was such a kind, caring, and curious soul who lived a genuinely meaningful life. She will be missed so much, but she has left behind a wonderful legacy in all of the lives she touched.