Dr Judith A. Best, 69, died peacefully October 29th 2010 at Bickford Cottage in Clinton Iowa. Funeral Services for Judith Best will be 10:00am Saturday, November 13th at the Runge Mortuary. Online condolences may be left at www.therungemortuary.com.
Judith Best was born in Davenport, Iowa October 12th 1941 to Margaret (Codd) Best Hall and Lester Best Jr. A 1959 graduate of Davenport High School Judi went on to receive a BA (Cum Laude) in History and Secondary Education from Coe College in 1963, an MA in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Iowa in 1965, and a Ph.D in Counseling Psychology from Northwestern University in 1979. Judi also received special training from the FBI as a hostage negotiator.
Judi’s varied and distinguished career focused on helping and serving others as a 6th grade teacher, high school and community college counselor, college instructor, trainer, substance abuse counselor, and therapist in a variety of settings. Her practice in the Quad Cities included working as a therapist at South Park Psychology in Moline, Ill, and Psychology Associates in Davenport, Ia. She also worked as a counselor and trainer at the Rock Island Arsenal. Judi once stated that “Psychology is my vocation and avocation”
Judi’s interests included reading novels, global travel, and spending time with family. She also loved the water and took every opportunity to walk on a beach. Family and friends will miss her positive outlook, sense of humor, and infections laugh. It was a joy to be with Judi.
Judi was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret (Codd) Best Hall; Her step-father, John Hall; Her father Lester Best Jr; Her step-mother Fran Best; cousin Kevin Karr; grandparents, Lester and Merle Best, and Rev F.G and Isabella Codd, and several aunts and uncles.
Judi is survived by her cousins Steven Felsted (Vicki), Davenport, Iowa; Christine Raiten (LeRoy), Galena Missouri; James Wilhelm (Nancy), Colorado Springs, Colorado; Fred Wilhelm (Leslie), Philomath Oregon, Lynne Koeniger,Salzburg, Austria; Daren Rathman (Jerry), Tipp City Ohio, and her best friend and caregiver Lee Bertoncella of Clinton, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made in Judi’s name to Hospice of Iowa, Bickford Cottage in Clinton, Iowa, or the Alzheimer’s Association.
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