Hella Davis

ORONO, MAINE - Hella Davis, 85, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2025, at Dirigo Pines, Orono, Maine. She was born on May 4, 1940, in Flensburg, Germany, the daughter of Ernst and Käthe (Boysen) Petersen. Flensburg is a city in northern Germany, located in the State of Schleswig-Holstein.

Hella graduated from high school in Flensburg and attended college in Germany to study Business. In 1963, at the age of 23, she courageously set out on her own for the United States. She first worked as an Au pair in the Boston area for a physician and his family of five children.

Ambitious and adventurous, she later moved to New York City, where she worked as a buyer handling imports for Henri Bendel, a luxury department store. She eventually made her home in Maine, working for many years as a Human Resources Manager at Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield. Hella was proud to be naturalized as a U.S. citizen on November 4, 1983.

In 1998, Hella chose to continue her education by enrolling in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Kennebec Valley Community College. She earned her Associate's Degree and went on to serve as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, working with children in the greater Bangor area for twelve years.

Hella loved travelling, entertaining, socializing, hiking, kayaking, swimming, painting, attending yoga classes, reading poetry by Mary Oliver, listening to music, especially the Bangor Symphony, and conversing with others in the many languages she spoke. She approached life with curiosity, enthusiasm, and an unwavering appreciation of the world around her.

In addition to her parents, Hella was predeceased by her beloved husband, Clifton Davis. She met Cliff in 2012 and the two married the following year, sharing a joyful and loving partnership.

Hella will be remembered for her independence, her generosity of spirit, her devotion to helping others, and her warm, welcoming presence. Her life touched many, and her memory will continue to live on in all who knew and loved her.

Hella is survived by several cousins, many friends from around the world, her entire church family and Cady, her special cat.

A Celebration of Life for Hella will be held at 10:30a.m. on Friday, December 5, 2025, at The Church of Universal Fellowship, 82 Main Street, Orono, Maine 04473, with Rev. Malcolm Himschoot officiating. Those who wish to attend the service remotely may do so by visiting https://my.forever.link/register/brookings-smith/hella-davis. All are welcome to share conversation and refreshments at the church's Gathering Place, immediately following the service. Interment will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor, following the reception. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local food pantry or animal shelter. Condolences may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.