When I was a young girl, I thought my mother was extraordinary because she was beautiful and much younger than most of my friend’s mothers. As I grew-up I realized she was extraordinary in many more substantial and informative ways. 
She had an appreciation for enlightenment and beauty in all its forms that manifested in her personal style and expression as well as her love for literature, art, history and culture, both current and ancient. Having married and started a family right after high school, she missed the opportunity to attend college, but it never stopped  her from learning and broadening her own horizons as time permitted. She had long been a voracious reader and was largely responsible for cultivating my lifelong love of prose, poetry and writing.
My earliest memory of being in a library was with my mom at my grade school in 1st or 2nd grade. She was helping me pick out biographies of famous historical women who had driven social, scientific and literary change in their time. They were fairly short, simple books, but they exposed me to the notion that women could be powerful forces, and planted the seed that I could do impactful things if I wanted to.  Over the next few years, she often suggested just the right book at the right time and exposed me to the depth and breadth of emotion that prose can evoke. I laughed, cried, empathized and lamented with and for those characters who were utterly real to me. 
Besides fostering my life long love of reading, learning and expressing myself, I credit my mother with instilling a sense of fairness and empathy in my world view. I loved reading about other cultures, religions, and ways of life completely unknown to me. It expanded my own rather narrow personal experience and opened my mind to the differences and commonalities among all human beings.
Mostly, reading has brought me joy and for that and the many others gifts and life lessons she shared with me I am forever grateful. She was indeed, extraordinary.


Judy was not only my sister but my hero. She was 11 years older than I so I always admired and looked up to her. She was so beautiful and in my eyes a princess. My earliest memory was her eating a whole bowl of Lays potato chips with lemon squeezed all over them. First, it was cool that she got what seemed like to be to me to be the whole bag! She had to share a bedroom when I was a little older. She loved to chew gum and before she went to bed at night, she put the gum on the headboard. In the morning she put it back in her mouth! I thought it was cool.

As our parents both had to work in those days to be able to provide for us, Judy was given the task of watching me! I never knew how she felt about it but I never felt any bad feelings. I guess I could swear with the best of everyone and often got my mouth washed out with some gross soap. As a 4/5 year old I wonder where I learned those words? One day in the early fall I remember having to sit in a chair, which happened often. I took my punishment but after a while the house started to get dark. I think I was forgotten! My mom got home from work, it was dark by then. She called her name and I answered can I go to the bathroom? I don’t think they ever forgot me again…she was my hero I wasn’t mad at her.

I will always admire my sister‘s beauty, her kindness, her love, intelligence and most of all her resilience to face each trial and adversity with strength and unconditional love. Rest in peace my beautiful sister. I love you.

Becoming Me

A snuggle kiss under the chin at bedtime
I giggle
A simple glance my way and a smile
I know love
Trips to the library for a new stack of books
I am like her
Endlessly trying to explain the unexplainable
She gets me
Bolstering me when I doubt myself
She believes in me
Feeling it, knowing it
I believe in me


OBITUARY

Judith Margene Beasley

April 27, 1938 – April 10, 2021

Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary

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