March 20, 1947 – Jan. 29, 2025
Judy Ann Anderson, of Nampa, AB, died of natural causes on Jan. 29, 2025 after a nine-month stay in the Grimshaw, AB Long-Term Care Unit at the age of 77 years.
Judith Ann (nee Howe) Anderson was born in Grace Hospital in Toronto, ON, on March 20, 1947 to parents Frank and Joy Howe (nee Sharpe).
She was predeceased by both her parents, her older brother Bill, and nephews Billy and Trevor.
Judy grew up in Toronto and attended Malvern and then Winston Collegiate high schools. Her best friend was Darlene, who she met in kindergarten. They continued as best friends all of Judy’s life, even after Darlene moved to Ottawa and Judy to Peace River, AB.
In 1966, Judy married Jim Jordan and they lived in the small village of Avening, near Creemore, ON. There they ran a gas station and general store, and had a towing business. Their only child, Tracey Lynn, was born in 1966 and by 1978 was helping run the store.
When Judy and Jim divorced in 1981, Judy and Tracey loaded up an AMC Hornet to the roof with a few possessions and headed west. In Peace River, AB, Judy soon found work as a secretary and then office manager, first for a lawyer’s firm and then for an insurance adjusting business. During her time at Laurin Adjusters, she made a lifelong friend in Tammy, who continued to visit Judy even when Judy resided in a nursing home.
Judy met Keith Anderson in Peace River and they were married in 1988 in a backyard ceremony, with Tracey being the maid of honour. In the year 2000, Judy retired from work and in 2004 the couple moved to an acreage east of Nampa. This location provided Judy with much wildlife viewing along the banks of the Heart River. Her all-time favourite animal experience, though, was off the coast of Alaska in 2016 watching humpback whales up close while they were “bubble net fishing”.
Being the social person that she was, Judy did not like the fact that the acreage was too far out of the way for people to “just drop in for a visit.” Judy thrived on conversation and meeting new people and remembering relationships. The greatest joy in her life in the last few years was when “the kids” travelled from Edmonton for a visit, especially when two great-grandchildren came along.
Judy leaves behind her sister Patricia (Gord), sister-in-law Jan, daughter Tracey (David), husband Keith, and grandsons Eric and Bryan (Kory).
A memorial service will be held April 12 at 2 p.m. in Peace River at the Chapel of Memories.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Grimshaw LTC Unit Residents Council, PO Box 648, Grimshaw, AB T0H 1W0.
Judy’s ashes will be dispersed at a later date.