WILTON, Judy
April 30, 1945 – May 15, 2021
Judy Wilton (nee Taylor) thought she wanted to be a nurse when she grew up. Instead, she became a wife and a mother of three and would not have changed it for the world. She counted her children as her life’s biggest achievements and they were by her side in her final hours.
Judy succumbed to terminal cancer on May 15, 2021. She was 76.
Born on April 30, 1945, in Eastend, Saskatchewan, Judy grew up with her two brothers on the family homestead. The family lived in a granary transformed into a farmhouse that had no running water and was heated by a coal furnace. As the oldest child, Judy fondly recalled the privilege of bathing first in the round tub placed in front of the stove in the kitchen. She spent many childhood hours making mud pies and decorating a playhouse her uncle helped build from an old chicken coop.
From Grades 1-9, Judy attended school in a one-room country school. She rode her bike or her horse five miles each way. Her dad drove her in the car or the tractor in the harsh Prairie winter, depending on the weather. She graduated from Eastend High school, boarding with a town family for a time before moving in with her Grandma Weighill, who she adored.
After meeting the love of her life Gary at a wedding, the young couple soon married and moved to Alberta, where they settled in Bragg Creek and together raised their three children. Family meant everything to Judy, and outside of her two sons and daughter, Judy’s pride and joy were her grandchildren.
In her later years, Judy returned to farm life. Moving to a small acreage north of Cochrane, she and Gary raised cows for a time and eventually built their dream home and a hub for social activities. Judy and Gary loved a good party filled with fun and laughter.
After Gary’s retirement, the couple wintered south in Yuma, AZ, adventuring with their life-long friends and meeting countless new ones along the way. Judy enjoyed sharing her travel stories and recounted the many colourful characters they encountered. She was a great storyteller and especially loved sharing the tale of meeting ‘Bare Ass Willie,’ an old bookstore owner who tended his shop in nothing but a cowboy hat and thong. Those years were among the happiest of her life.
Although she considered cleaning her biggest talent, Judy was gifted at many hobbies, including painting, playing piano by ear, crocheting, and baking. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and excelled at being a homemaker – a vital role sometimes taken for granted.
As Judy reflected on her life, she shared no regrets.
To the end, she demonstrated strength and poise, reflective of her stoic nature and bootstrap farm roots.
“Remember me as happy and having fun. Don’t cry for me. Remember our fun times and laugh lots.”
Judy is survived by her children and their families: Darron, Helene, Sarah and Ellie; Brent, Toni, Holly and Liam; Suzanne, Sean, Sam and Sydney; along with her brothers and their families. She was predeceased by her husband Gary, and her parents, Norm and Pat Taylor.
The family extends a special thanks to the kindness of Dr. Punch and the palliative team who cared for Judy in her final days, especially Pauline and Dr. Ho, and other dedicated front-line health care staff including EMS.
A service will not be held at this time due to COVID-19 restrictions and the family invites you to view this video tribute of Judy’s life. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to STARS Air Ambulance www.stars.ca
Arrangements entrusted to Florence (Flo) Simpson, Funeral Director
Cochrane Country Funeral Home – Ph: 403-932-1039
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de WILTON Judy April 30 1945 – May 15 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Cochrane, Province: Alberta