Judy Parsons

Judith J. Parsons of Lakewood, Colorado, passed away peacefully on November 18th at the age of 84. She was born in Oak Park, Illinois, the third of four children, to Eleanor and Charles Joern. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Patricia Schloot. She is survived by her sister Virginia Allinson and her younger brother, Charles Joern; her five children, Kim Klocke (David), Topper Parsons, Cindy Parsons, Peter Parsons and Dan Parsons (Melissa); seven grandchildren: Kirk, Kate, John, Erica, Max, Molly and Iris; and 6 great-grandchildren: Leah, Collin, Jack, Ada, Ellie and Owen; along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Judy's kind, compassionate and loving spirit shone brightly throughout her life. She spread joy among family, friends and strangers alike through her good-natured kindness, down-to-earth character, good humor, sincerity, charming quirkiness and seemingly endless generosity. She honored her upbringing, faith and nature by striving to be a good and decent person each and every day. Judy's life was centered around a love of family, and she spent a lifetime caring for those nearest to her, while welcoming many others into her world with open arms and an open mind. This open mindedness, along with a natural curiosity, allowed her to experience a world of people, places and activities, which she enjoyed and was thankful for until the end. We will miss her dearly, but also celebrate her enduring gifts to each and every one of us.

Judy was born in raised in suburbs of Chicago, attending Lyons Township High School (LTHS) before enrolling at Denison College of Ohio, where she studied English for two years before transferring to the University of Illinois. She spent much of her youth with her two older sisters, and then was surprised and delighted (mostly) to welcome her younger brother to the mix at age sixteen. She recalled her childhood with fondness - a loving home with her parents and siblings, youthful adventures and many friends. Her closest friends from high school became known as, "The Turkeys." This cohort of twelve young women would end up bonding for a lifetime, keeping in touch always, and gathering every so often for milestones big and small. (One of these gatherings was to celebrate their 40th birthday year, and took place in Breckenridge, Colorado. Legend holds that the so-called Turkeys were caught red-handed writing in wet cement in town, where they escaped punishment by explaining to the officer that their detention would result in over thirty children losing their mothers. It worked and they were sent on their way.)

While in her early twenties, Judy married Thomas Parsons of Evanston, Illinois, and, after stints in California and Boulder, she settled in Lakewood, Colorado on Myrtlewood Lane, where she would remain nearly all of her life. It was there that she raised five children as a single mother, creating and maintaining a loving, happy home made lively by an endless parade of joys, heartaches, adventures, stitches, broken bones, pets (numerous cats and dogs, horses, rabbits, ducks, guinea pigs, chickens, and one tarantula), along with a constant stream of visitors, all of whom felt right at home in her home.

For the better part of sixty years the Myrtlewood house was a destination and haven for family and friends alike; it was a place to relax (maybe on a green couch!), share laughs, hide out, watch ball games and take comfort in Judy's hospitality. Her desk in the kitchen was the nerve-center of the house, and it was there that the ever- organized Judy fielded phone calls, made and crossed-off items off lists, reviewed her calendar (she never missed a birthday, anniversary or other important event, marking each with a thoughtful card or timely phone call) and sorted through daily tasks and plans of every variety. Her house was truly a home, and not only reserved for family; all were welcome and treated with respect and kindness.

Judy took great joy from the company of babies and children of all shapes and sizes.

She was an expert peek-a-boo player with babies, and a source of great delight and humor to children of all ages (her grandchildren will not doubt recall many rounds of "creep mousey, creep mousey" or the sight of her exclaiming, "Madre! Madre! as she slapped her forehead!). She presented each of her grandchildren a hand-knitted "blankie" shortly after arrival; they often accompanied their owners to college and beyond, worse for the wear, perhaps, but better for the love that created them. When they were a little older, she took each grandchild on a special trip, usually with her sister Pat who brought one of her own grandchildren. These adventures ranged from train trips across the country, cruises with Mickey Mouse, and even a wagon train adventure in Wyoming. As with here own children, she was generous and loving with her grandchildren, and took much joy in watching them grow into adulthood. Although she was not able to become fully acquainted with her six great-grandchildren, and other newly minted relatives, she lit up when seeing pictures or videos of them, still drawing joy and a genuine smile from their presence.

Aside from family and friends, Judy enjoyed many activities, from reading in bed to traveling the world. She was a dedicated reader, always keeping a book at her bedside or on her iPad, and the daily newspaper in the den. She enjoyed knitting, not only fashioning blankets for her kids and grandkids, but also the occasional adventure into something new and different. It was this spirit that led her to secretly collect fur for months from her daughter Kim's old English sheepdog, sending it out to be made into yarn, and then knitting a sweater vest for her 16th birthday. The reaction was a mix of surprise, confusion and delight. Judy never failed to confound and amaze her kids, such as when she caught a baseball barehanded at a minor league baseball game with a glove toting family on either side of her. Likewise, it still causes some consternation that she holds the family record for biggest fish ever caught - a sailfish reeled in while on vacation in Vero Beach, Florida with her father. This trophy hung over the mantle, and then in the laundry room, for over fifty years. She was also known to sneak off to Central City on Mother's Day in her later years to play the slot machines, which brought out her rarely seen competitive juices.

Judy greatly enjoyed traveling and often expressed to her children its value as a form of education and life experience. Once her children left the nest, she began traveling more frequently visiting many destinations both in the United States and Europe. Her favorite traveling companion was her sister Pat, who not only accompanied her on the famous grandchildren adventures, but also on many trips organized through Pat’s connections and her church. One highlight of her travels was the happily named, "2000 and FUN," trip, which she organized for the purpose of exploring her grandfather's hometown of Uslar, Germany, and to meet the German relatives. The trip included a wide array of family members, a chartered bus and culminated with attending the once-a-decade Passion Play in Oberammergau.

She often commented on how much she enjoyed the diversity of her children's interests and how through the years she had learned so much from each child. She truly loved learning new things and creating new experiences with her children, grandchildren, relatives and friends.

Judy was a longtime member of the Our Lady of Fatima church in Lakewood, where she sent her children for early education, attended mass regularly for nearly fifty years, and volunteered as secretary of Altar and Rosary Society for a time. Although mostly private in her faith, she took to heart the fundamental teachings of kindness, forgiveness and the Golden Rule, each of which helped to guide her through life. She truly walked the walk.

In her early years in Colorado Judy was an active member of the Boulder Jaycees where she also made life long friendships. Throughout the years Judy worked a variety of jobs and held several volunteer positions; she gave her time to Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Ridge where she worked as a Pink Lady at the information desk for many years, and then later was employed at Table Mountain Travel as a receptionist. Her favorite job ever, though, was selling the Don Caster line of clothing out of her home with her sister Pat.

An avid, if nervous, sports fan, she grew up watching the Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago, and later adopted the Colorado Rockies, where she found similar elation and frustration. She could always be counted on to root for the underdog (not only in sports) and spent much of her life pacing nervously around the house, unable to watch the Denver Broncos during close football games. She did, however, foresee the Broncos' Superbowl victory in 2016 before the season even started. In typical Judy fashion, she planned and hosted her own 80th birthday party in Las Vegas, which just happened to be on Superbowl Sunday. This last large family gathering merged her love of family, fun, travel, and sports; a grand time was had by all.

The family would like to thank all those who helped care for her as she slowed down and was unable to go it alone. We are grateful to Lauren, her home-aide at the Myrtlewood house and to the wonderful and caring staff at the Assured Assisted Living House, where she spent her last two years. Several of these staff members became her second family in a way, and cared for her with skill, compassion, humor and understanding. They provided her with comfort and dignity to the end, in turn giving all of us a sense of peace and happiness for which we are forever grateful.

A celebration of life is planned for a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org/donate) or Lewy Body Dementia Association (https://www.lbda.org/donate)

Mom/Gram/Judy will be missed by all those who were blessed to know her. Please honor her memory by performing an act of kindness for someone in the near future...