August 8, 2019
Davidson, Jessica N.
Jessica Nguyen Davidson, caring friend, international traveler, committed believer in Christ, and beloved family member passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 5, 2019 at the age of 33. She was a selfless giver of herself to so many others. Born May 11, 1986, Jessica moved to Westwood MA at the age of two as a foster child to later be adopted when she was four by Reverend Robert “Bob” and Marilyn Davidson currently of Norwood MA and formerly of Westwood MA. A graduate of Westwood High School (2004), Jessica completed a bachelor’s degree from Houghton College in Houghton NY (2008) and a master’s degree in social work from Washington University in St. Louis (2012), later attaining the certification of Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). Her professional endeavors were almost exclusively with non-profits as she devoted herself to City Year (Boston MA), three years in the Peace Corps (deployment to Macedonia in Eastern Europe), and most recently as a counselor at the Institute for Health and Recovery (Boston MA). She spent additional time overseas via missions’ trips to Peru and Thailand.
Her passion for art and nature is immortalized by multiple murals in the greater Boston area and Macedonia as well as countless memories at Cape Cod. She was deeply connected to church communities including her most recent involvement with Aletheia Church of Cambridge MA.
Jessica is survived by parents Bob and Marilyn Davidson (Norwood MA); siblings Jonathan (and Allison) Davidson with children Mackenzie and Scott of Allentown PA, Christopher (and Jenn) Davidson of Framingham MA, Ashley Davidson (with Dylan Tremblay) with child Delylah of Taunton MA, and Danielle (and George) Hairston with children Brooklyn, Marlyn, and Christian of Forestdale MA. Extended family includes grandmothers Elsie Blackie & Mary Davidson; eight aunts and uncles; plus many cousins & the children of her cousins. Jessica was predeceased by grandfathers Edmund Davidson & John Blackie, cousin Steven Montalbano, and cousin’s son Tyler Willhite.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Jessica’s church, Aletheia Church, where she passionately served can be made at www.aletheia.org/give, scrolling to “In Memory Jessica Davidson”. Alternately, a gift can be mailed to the church at Aletheia Church, 820 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge MA 02139 referencing “Jessica Davidson”.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Aletheia Church where Jessica worshiped, at 1:30pm on Sunday, August 11, 2019. Aletheia Church meets at the Cambridge YMCA at 820 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge MA 02139. Light refreshments will be provided after the service.
Comments(22)
Bob, Marilyn and family ~ my thoughts and prayers are with you during this devastating time. Bob has been such a blessing to our Brookhaven family and our hearts are breaking with yours. Rest easy, beautiful Jessica…
Beautiful story, beautiful girl.
We will love you always, dearest Jess …
Uncle Tim & Aunt Linda
xo
A beautiful person inside and out and so very special to so many people. Always selfless, focused on serving God, and being there for anyone who needed anything, she did all this with such grace and love. She will be missed with the comfort knowing that one day we shall see her again.
Bob, Marilyn, and family – I have been praying for all of you. Jessica was special as all of you have always served those around you. Know that all of you are loved by many, many people.
The world will not be the same without Jess. We loved her in Macedonia and she made our lives so much richer.
As someone who served in the Peace Corps with Jessica, I saw firsthand what a caring and kind person she was. The world has lost a truly special soul.
Jessica was a principal reason I enjoyed the Peace Corps as much as I did. I turned 60 while I was in Macedonia, but Jessica never treated me like a little old lady- she was generous and thoughtful, always including me in wild plans- I lived a 45 minute kembi ride away from Struga, and I spent many hours with Jessica, strolling around her city as well as mine. She became friends with my Albanian friends in Dibra- they are also devastated by this loss. She was smart and kind, had a way of making her life and others’ lives more entertaining, more enjoyable. I will never forget her performing in a play at the restaurant of her host family in Struga- and she performed in Albanian! I was so amazed! To have her gone leaves a hole in the world. My heart is with you, her family. I am so grateful to have known her.
Bob and Marilyn my heart is breaking for you and your family for the loss of your beautiful, precious daughter Jessica. Jessica gave so much of herself. Her goodness and mercy will live on in those she touched. Please know your Brookhaven family is grieving with you and wish to support you in any way possible. We are praying for God’s comfort, strength and peace.
so sorry….XXOO
From myself and those whose lives Jessica touched/helped/enlightened in Peace Corps Macedonia, our prayers are with your family during this difficult time.
I’m so, so sorry for your loss. I don’t know your family personally, but Linda is an online blogging friend. May God give all of you strength and comfort.
Jess I am truly going to miss you. Words can’t express how passionate and dedicated you were. I always enjoyed seeing you and talking with you. Sending my sincerest condolences to your family. Xo
I knew Jessica through Institute of Health and Recovery. She had been my therapist for three years. She was such a special person and I am heartbroken that she is gone. For the last two years, I have been driving from Providence, RI to Cambridge just to meet with her a few times a month. I have never been able to connect with a therapist until Jessica. She helped me become the woman I am today. I am eternally grateful for the time we spent together and all the things she taught me. My heart goes out to everyone mourning this loss with me.
On my last night in Skopje before returning to USA, Jessica and I went out for dinner and a movie. I thought her a very gentle and sweet young lady. I am grateful for that small amount of time I got to spend with a fellow PCV. She was a help to me in closing that chapter in my PC life. My sympathies to all close to Jessica.
Our deepest condolences to the family. May her light continue to shine from heaven
To all the Davidson family,my prayers and thoughts are with you. My deepest sympathies to all the family. My God comfort you these difficult time.
I am a CY alum, but I never knew that Jessica was too. We met because she helped my son through a very difficult time. My family is very grateful for her kindness, patience and persistence with him. He is doing much better now. I would like to express my condolences to the family. She was a bright light in the world.
Marilyn,
All my love to you and your family. We are all heart broken. Sending blessings of healings. May she rest in peace.
Dear Marilyn and Bob, my heart is with you. I’m so very sorry about Jessica. There is such intense grief when a child passes and while I can’t know what it is like I know that even with a hope of being together again our earthly selves muss them so much. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you through these dark day. God will provide for your needs. Love, Susan ( Linda’s friend from NY).
I’m still reeling from this news and can’t believe Jessica’s loss. I worked for years with Jessica at IHR. She was a very dedicated counselor to the kids we worked with. Please accept my condolences and wish the family all the strength as we all process this loss. I’m so sorry.
Sincerely,
Greg Alonge
Im still in shock im so sorry for your loss ..to everyone who knew her, i was a client of hers. she was so amazing, i considered her my friend and my 2 kids loved her. i still think im gonna see her and have to remind myself i cant’t. i wish i had asked her more about herself but felt like i couldn’t as a client. i wish i could have stopped this. so sad.
I am so sorry to hear about Jessica’s passing. She was one of my MSW students several years ago and I remember her intelligence and her vibrancy. Sending peace to her family.
This posting just came up on my LinkedIn feed and I was shocked and saddened by the news. Jessica had a sweet spirit about her. She loved Jesus with all her heart and loved people. We were blessed to know her as a regular member at ICS (international Church of Skopje) and also the MakHOP (Macedonia House of Prayer). She loved Macedonia and all the people here. She was a true disciple of Jesus who carried His love and peace wherever she went.
The prayers of the ICS and MakHOP community are with you, Marilyn and Bob, and the rest of your family and community!