Jeanne Eleanor Schultz-Judd

Jeanne Schultz-Judd passed away February 18, 2018 at 71 years of age. Named Jeanne Eleanor Espy at birth she was born on January 14, 1947 in Baltimore MD to Melvin Paul Espy and Eleanor Olive Gaines. Jeanne was the youngest of 3 children, sister Irene who passed away in early 2017 and surviving brother Wayne Espy. The family moved to the Pacific Northwest in the summer of 1957, where they resided in Normandy Park. Jeanne graduated the class of 1965 from Highline High School. She pursued her studies following high school at Highline College, with a break for raising a family and pursuing her passion for writing, she then proudly received her Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Studies at Seattle University in the year 2000.

Jeanne was married to Ronald Schultz in the year 1967, by which marriage she has two daughters; Ronni Whitacre and Jessie Schultz. She married Oliver Judd in 1998 and was married to him until his death in December of 2012.

Jeanne’s vibrancy and creativity, her passionate interest in the issues affecting her community and people shaped the course of her life. She fought to create a world where her daughters could live in confidence, a world full of creativity and possibility. Jeanne loved stories, the stories of people around her, the stories of people who have come and gone from this earth. Her curiosity and creativity led her to writing as the vehicle to express her vision of those stories, she is the author of one novel, innumerable short stories and poems.

Her passion for the environment and her community expressed themselves in various ways throughout her life. An avid gardener, with a love of the Northwest native woodland landscape. Keenly absorbed in the idea of sustainable housing and development led her to do extensive research in the field of green building and explore the possibilities of cottage housing to address the needs of the growing northwest population while preserving the sense of community she valued so much. In connection with that interest she worked for a time prior to her retirement in the Real Estate industry as a Broker for ReMax All City in Seattle WA.

Sickness was a daily reality of her last few years, although Jeanne would not have been interested to talk about that. Even in some of her most critical moments she was unfailingly gracious with all who knew and helped to care for her. She found joy in spending time with her family and close friends, to hear their stories and watch them grow. A source of joy was the birth of her grandson Lakelin Dyson-Schultz to daughter Jessie in 2015. Jeanne found a constant source of interest in watching the progress of the seasons as they passed over her beloved Puget Sound. She delighted in the daily songs and rituals of the native birds and looked forward every spring to see the trilliums bloom in the garden. She was known by those who loved her as a woman of vibrant intelligence and unfailing grace with a sparkle in her eye and a genuine smile. She is sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by her daughters Ronni Whitacre and her husband Paul Whitacre, Jessie Schultz and her husband Rob Dyson and Jeanne’s older brother Wayne Espy.

A Memorial Service to honor Jeanne and celebrate her life will be held on April 10, 2018 at 11am hosted by her congregation at the following address:

Genesis Global

233 S 156th St

Burien, WA 98148

In lieu of flowers: please make donations to Genesis, The Nature Conservancy, The Audubon Society, Public Broadcasting (television and radio) or the local Women’s shelter.