Maude Davis Terry, 90, a resident of Belmont and Cambridge, died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease on Oct. 23, 2025.
She was the devoted wife of James L. Terry for 70 years, the loving mother of Jim, Mark, and Beth Terry, and the beloved grandmother to Duncan, Sam, Matthew, Dory, Vivian, and Louise. She was also a loyal sister to W.S. Gardner Davis of Granby, Texas. Maude was a cherished aunt and great-aunt to many nieces, nephews, and cousins in Texas, California, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York.
Maude was born in Texas, a daughter of Maud Parker Davis and Capt. William S. G. Davis (U.S. Navy). She was raised in various cities during her father’s World War II deployment.
Settling in New England with her Aunt Marcia and Uncle Frank Cunningham in Pittsfield, Maude attended St. Anne’s Episcopal School in Arlington and later Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield. It was through her Pittsfield cousin, Francis Cunningham, that she met her future husband. Following graduation from secondary school, Maude spent two years at Newcomb College (Tulane) in New Orleans. In 1955, she married James L. Terry in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and later settled in Cambridge, then moved to Belmont.
Maude lived a long and happy life in New England. It was filled with family, her many dogs, figure skating competitions, teaching, Episcopal church communities in Belmont and Brookline, and volunteer work in social services. Among many things, Maude led a Girl Scout troop, coached a soccer team, worked on altar guilds, volunteered at hospitals and for hospice, and sang in choirs and local choruses. Over the decades, she hosted young people in her home, whether for graduate school, training, or because they experienced some hardship. She led many carpools, and during a summer in the 1970s, she took her youngest children on a nine-week camping trip across the country.
Known for her grace, compassion for others, interest in humanitarian causes, and devotion to her husband and family, Maude was most joyful on the ice —deftly dancing and skating—and when she was contributing to a cause she believed in. Unselfish in everything, she was generous to those in need and famous for her homemade Christmas eggnog. She is deeply missed.
A memorial service will be held later in the year.
