Judith Ann Edmonds
In Loving Memory
Judy, our beloved mom and grandmother, passed away in Roseville, California, in January 2023. After enduring her last three years of chronic pain and crippling multiple sclerosis, she often said, "I just want out!"—more like, "Get me the f... out of here!"
Judy was raised in SLC Utah with her brother, Jay. Her parents were Mae and Jay Edmonds. She often spoke of childhood memories of sleigh rides, the choir she sung in and her love of education. She attended the Univerity of Hawaii where she found freedom in "... going barefoot to classes, dating hunky Hawaiin surfers, drinking and smoking 4 packs a day" (Ha! Go MOM!) Her mother came to the Island and dragged her back to SLC, where she met and married the father of her children, Gary.
She and Gary moved to Marin County in the early 1960's. An OG feminist, Judy returned to college in the late 1960s after her divorce. She worked night shifts and raised three children on her own in Marin. She "needed a man like a fish needed a bicycle." In the 1970s, while visiting a friend at Lake Tahoe, she landed a job as a public school nurse in Nevada. Packing up her children, she moved to Truckee, where her love for the outdoors and nature kept her going.
An avid long-distance runner, cross-country skier, gardener, and outdoor enthusiast, Judy’s spirit was unshaken—even as MS slowly took its toll. Despite the disease, which was particularly cruel to her active lifestyle, she persevered and lived in Truckee until her 60's. Eventually, she relocated to the WAY WAY outskirts of Grass Valley, CA, where she continued to enjoy taking long walks with her 7 dogs, reading, gardening, and birdwatching.
In 2005, the loss of her oldest daughter, Sabrina, was devastating for Judy, and in many ways, it took the wind from her sails. Nevertheless, she carried on, tending to her dogs and plot of land in Grass Valley with love and care. Her neigbors, Janet, Mary Jane and Linda, took care of Judy as the MS progressed. They were living saints.
Ultimately, Judy had to move to Roseville to for care and to "live" out her final 3 years.
Judy is survived by her daughter, Dannielle, grand daughter Malaya, son, Shane, and grandsons: Nate, Quincy, and Carson, as well as nieces Erin and Ashley, nephew JJ, and possibly her brother, Jay, whose whereabouts are currently unknown.
Judy was a beautiful, strong, kind, and generous soul—one who left a lasting impression. She had no tolerance for phoniness and embodied authenticity in every aspect of her life. She taught women the value of independence, self-sufficiency, perseverance, and, above all, staying true to oneself. Priceless.
We f..ing miss her!