Judith Elizabeth Rannard

It is great sadness and sorrow I have to say that my dear wife, soulmate, companion, friend, and sweetheart Judy left us and passed away on November 17th, 2024.

Judy was predeceased by her mother Margaret “Marg” Ellen (Rollo) Cooper and father Alexander “Rae” Cooper and step mother June (Madder) Cooper. Judy is survived by me, her husband Dave, her brother Gerry (Laurie), daughter Elizabeth “Liz” (Chris) LeBaron, sons Bruce (Karen) and Bryan (Inga) and daughter Margaret “Marnie” (Ron) Lewis, nine grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends. Much to her mother’s foreboding, Judy was born on the ‘Ides of March (beware Caesar)’, March 15th, 1939 in Winnipeg, where she resided all her life. Judy was truly a teacher at heart and did a great job raising our four children and teaching them how to become the wonderful people that they are today. Teaching others became her profession, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Certificate in Education from the University of Manitoba and a Master of Arts degree in Special Education from San Francisco State University.

In addition the major responsibility of raising a family, Judy took on a number of substitute teaching jobs from time to time. While supervising the kids and their friends in the back yard swimming pool, Judy taught herself the Braille Code. Judy’s expertise in Braille communication became a stepping stone to her career with the Manitoba Department of Education as Manager of Special Materials Services (SMS) that produced, housed and distributed all the Braille, Audiotaped and Large Print books and Materials in addition to the Special Learning Equipment (Braille Writers, TV Readers, Audiotape Readers). Many of these Special Materials products were produced in cooperation with other provinces so that duplication would be avoided. This also resulted in the adaptation of Canada-wide sharing of these special materials that were prepared for blind and visually impaired students. Judy in her role with SMS was invited by the Canadian Government’s Library Services to join the Board of the National Library of Canada’s services to “print handicapped individuals”. Judy in this capacity was very much involved in the establishment of this Inter-Provincial Library and the sharing of this costly material. In addition to this important activity, Judy, in 1997, was presented with an Honorary Life Membership in the Canadian Braille Authority for recognition of her extraordinary services as a founding member of that organization.

In addition to managing the SMS section of the Branch, Judy was given the responsibility for the direct supervision of the eight (8) member professional team of ‘Educational Consultants for the Visually Impaired’ that provided services to students throughout Manitoba. Judy retired from her position in SMS in January of 1998 and started a new career of retirement with Dave, travelling throughout Canada and the U.S.A., to visit and spend time and special occasions with family and friends. Travels to other world locations and cruises also filled in the blanks when not in Winnipeg enjoying her home and family.

Unfortunately, Judy was diagnosed with lung cancer early in 2023 and the onset of cancer and effects of dementia for 10 years combined to result in her passing on Sunday, November 17th. The family and Dave would like to thank the kind treatment provided Judy by all the doctors, nursing and aide staff at Cancer Care Manitoba, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority’s Manitoba Home and Palliative Care and the exceptional treatment and care by Grace Hospice doctors, nurses and health care aides!