Judy Lee Salazar

May 2, 1943 - February 3, 2018

Judy Lee Salazar, 74, lost a six-year battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on Saturday February 3, 2018 in Lakewood, Colorado. She is preceded in death by her; Parents Guy and Carrie Kipp, Husband John (Tony) Salazar, Brother Kenneth Vermillion, Sisters Lois Craig, Shirley Hahn, Carol Kipp, Patricia Kipp, and Jerry Kipp. She is survived by her Brother Clyde (Lee) Kipp, her three daughters; Debra Medina (Jesse), Gina Wesolek (David) and Sherri Krueger along with four grandchildren; Jesus (J.J.) Medina, Bobby Medina, Alicia Krueger, Ryan Krueger; three great-grandchildren; Giovanni Medina, Dalilah Medina, and Olivia Morris; plus, numerous family members and friends, and her dear dog – Zoey.

Judy passed on the evening of February 3, 2018 at St. Anthony Hospital in ICU surrounded by family. She spent her life giving and serving others.

Judy grew up in the Barnum area of Denver and attended West High from 1959 - 1961. She married John (Tony) Salazar in 1961 and they had their first daughter in December of that year. Gina was born in 1963 then Sherri in 1965. The family moved to Lakewood, Colorado in 1965 and Judy remained in the same home until her death. She was known for her hospitality and her door was always open, she held great conversations, gave excellent advice, and had her own personal humor. She always had a caring and listening ear for anyone who needed it. Those who knew Judy would describe her as a straight shooter, a woman of integrity, strength, honor and servitude; a true hero to many.

As a Denver native, Judy loved spending time with her family and friends, staying active, and helping others. She was passionate about her gardening and loved to take friends shopping and out to lunch. She enjoyed a beer or two and laughs with everyone. She had the ability to make friends wherever she went, and most for a lifetime.

Judy’s Visitation will be from 3-6pm on Fri. 2/16/18 with services at 2:00pm on Sat. 2/17/18 and burial to follow, all at Olinger Crown Hill Mortuary and Cemetery, 7777 W. 29th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033.

Flowers are appreciated. However, if you would like to make a contribution in Judy’s name, please send donations to DDRC of Colorado (Developmental Disabilities Resource Center) at www.ddrcco.com., or by mail to: DDRC, Attn: Development Dept., 11177 W. 8th Ave., Lakewood, CO 80215.

Below is a list of some favorite songs. Many of them were played at Judy's services.

1) ‘Can the Circle be Unbroken’ Artist: The Carter Family (1927 version)

2) ‘Blueberry Hill’ Artist: Fats Domino

3) ‘There you’ll be’ Artist: Faith Hill

4) ‘Amazing Grace’ Artist: Elvis Presley

5) ‘Only You’ Artist: The Platters

6) ‘The Wonder of You’ Artist: Elvis Presley

7) ‘Golden Slumber’ Artist: Beatles

8) ‘Oh What a Night’ Artist: The Dells

9) ‘Earth Angel’ Artist: The Penguins

10) ‘The old Rugged Cross’ Artist: Johnny Cash

11) ‘In My Life’ Artist: Beatles

12) ‘Hallelujah’ Artist: Pentatonix

13) ‘I’ll Remember You’ Artist: Elvis Presley

14) ‘For the Good Times’ Artist: Elvis Presley

15) ‘They Way We Were/Try to Remember’ Artist: Gladys Knight & the Pips

16) ‘You really got a hold on me’ Artist: Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

17) ‘Dancing in the Sky’ Artist: Dani & Lizzy

18) ‘Grandma’s Song’ Artist: Alan Jackson

19) ‘Because you Loved Me’ Artist: Celine Dion

20) ‘Save a Place for me’ Artist: Matthew West

21) ‘Since I don’t have you’ Artist: The Skyliners

22) ‘So Far Away’ Artist: Carole King

23) ‘Come and Go With Me’ Artist: The Del Vikings

24) ‘The Rose’ Artist: Bette Midler

25) ‘In the Arms of the Angel’ Artist: Sarah McLachlan

26) ‘Photographs and Memories’ Artist: Jim Croce

27) ‘I Need You’ Artist: America

28) ‘Pledging My Love’ Artist: Johnny Ace

29) ‘Believe’ Artist: Dunn & Brookes

30) ‘I Wish You Were Here’ Artist: Lee Fields

The following is a eulogy that was lovingly offered up by Carrie Ann Wheeler at Judy's service.

About my Aunt Judy

I want to thank you for coming to celebrate my Aunt Judy’s life. She lived life to the fullest and she would want us to celebrate with joy and maybe a beer or two.

Judy Lee Salazar was born May 2, 1943 in Denver Colorado to Guy Arlington and Carrie Wilma Kipp. Minutes later followed her twin sister Jerry, my mom. Since conception they were bound together and were hardly ever apart. They were the youngest of 8 siblings and like most babies of the family they were feisty and always getting into trouble. Aunt Judy liked to blame it my mom but after hearing stores from her longtime friends I think Aunt Judy was doing fine on her own. They did everything together. As young girls they played paper dolls and jacks on the kitchen floor; and played rummy and board games with Aunt Carol and Aunt Patty. They lived in a small house that didn’t have an indoor bathroom. When their parents had one built they were too afraid to use the toilet because they were scared they would get sucked down. They weren’t always cautious and they didn’t like to take “no” for an answer. At the age of 6 they wanted to go to the movies with Uncle Lee and his date so they hid in the back seat of his car and surprised them at the movies. I think there are a few more stories similar to that –seems hiding in a back seat or the trunk was a common theme to get what they wanted.

If they weren’t planning their next adventure they were fighting. Like loving sisters, everyone knew they could argue and were good at it. You didn’t want to be in the middle of that. But at the end of the day they loved each other very much and of course thought that their sister was obviously wrong. To them, it was ok if they fought -but if someone tried to mess with Judy or Jerry –the poor sole would have to deal with both sisters. They always had each other’s back. I image they ruled the Barnum neighborhood or the “hood” Aunt Judy would say.

As teenagers in the 50’s they shaved their eyebrows, painted them back on and wore bright red lipstick. Aunt Judy called this putting your “face on”. Aunt Judy enjoyed going to a dance or a “garage hop” to listen to music (especially Elvis). Aunt Judy met my Uncle Tony as a young teenager and they were married in July 1961. Not long after, their daughters were born (Debbie, Gina, and Sherry). Aunt Judy loved being a wife and a mom. She enjoyed spending time camping and fishing. She loved her family very much. Her girls were the joy of her life –until grandkids came. JJ, Bobby, Alicia, and Ryan are very special to her. Whenever I called to check up on her, she would fill me in on the happenings of her grandkids and her great grandkids, Gio, Dalilah, and Olivia. She recently told me how proud she was of the type of father Bobby has become and the type of mother Ally has become. She was very proud of all her grandkids.

I lived with Aunt Judy and Uncle Tony my senior year of high school, the year their first grandchild, JJ, was born. I remember Debbie dropping off J every morning before work. Aunt Judy couldn’t wait to get that grandbaby in her arms. She loved babies. When I got home from school she would plop J in my arms and say, “here rock him while I get dinner started, Tony will be home soon.” She would rush off into the kitchen and I would rock J which usually ended up with him spitting up on me. After I was grossed out Aunt Judy would hand me a towel and say, “Oh, it’s just a little cottage cheese.” Occasionally, Sean would come in the house after school and while I rocked J, she would offer Sean a beer.

It’s funny how things change… About two years ago Aunt Judy and I were meeting every Sunday to help Aunt Carol with lunch at the nursing home. One afternoon during lunch, Aunt Carol vomited on her plate, her lap, down her wheelchair, and pretty much over the whole table, and I never seen Aunt Judy run so fast. By the time she came back Aunt Carol was all cleaned up with a new bib, I changed the table cloth, and Aunt Carol was working on a coffee and ice cream. Aunt Judy looked a little green and I had to say, “Oh Aunt Judy, it’s just a little cottage cheese.” To that she said “that’s different, it’s not the same.”

You know she loved spending time with family and friends, preparing feast for everyone –especially her beans and chili at Lake McConaughy, playing bingo, and going up the hill to gamble; but I will always remember how much she loved to garden. Sometimes she would call just to find out how my garden was doing and we would swap stories. I think we both had garden envy because Uncle Lee always had the best garden. Last year I had some type of bug that was eating my plants and Aunt Judy told me to put a can of beer in my garden. I guess it was to kill the bugs by intoxication- I’m really not sure. I thought she was crazy. But I tried it and damned if it didn’t work!

Aunt Judy had a gift of making everyone feel comfortable. Amazingly, it would only take her five minutes to meet a complete stranger, discover their name, where they grew up, what school they attended, where they worked and then would introduce them as if they were old friends. I think Jesse had it right when he said, “it didn’t matter what race, religion, or what you looked like, she just loved all people”. She could get along with anyone. Once she got to know you she treated you like family. She touched some many lives. That’s probably why she had so many friends.

What I think I will remember most is her smile, her laugh, and how generous she was. Her door was always open and she took in anyone that needed help. Her kitchen was always open, she always wanted to feed you and you know she could cook. Her arms were always open to give you a back rub or big hug even when it was really hard for her. Like when it was I and my brothers at our mother’s funeral. She took my mom’s passing very hard. Since then she has been like a mom to me, checking up on me and asking about my brothers. I could never thank her enough for how generous she was with her time and love.

I miss my Aunt Judy, but I know it was time for her to go and she was ok with that. Her faith in Christ carried her. Heaven wanted her and I’m sure it had a little to do with all of her sisters waiting for her and Uncle Tony saying, “Come on Judy.” I’m sure that reunion was something to see. I hope you will cherish your Judy story and remember my Aunt Judy with joy.