Mary Judith (Judie) Belyea
May 9, 1933 – October 26, 2021
It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Judie after a short but courageous battle with cancer.
Judie will be dearly missed by her children Susan, John (Amanda), Adam (Jennifer), Stirling and her grandchildren Matthew, Spencer, Lauren, William and Tolmie.
Born in Montreal, Judie grew up in a loving household which was turned upside down when her father was killed in action at Dieppe, France in 1942. After graduating from the University of Toronto (1953) with a degree in Physical and Occupational Therapy, Judie returned to Montreal to work in psychiatrics. While in Montreal, Judie was active in amateur theatre and she carried her love of theatre throughout her life.
Judie had many passions including travel, bridge and quilting. She traveled the world with her best friend Joan Quevillion, including ten epic around the world journeys on her favourite cruise line, Cunard. Judie discovered bridge through her mother, Jane, and together they were a fearsome duo at bridge tables in Ottawa and across North America. During the pandemic, Judie played more than ten online games a week right through late August. This past summer Judie became a Sapphire Life Master, one of highest designations in the bridge world. We know she will be sorely missed by all of her bridge friends. What she truly treasured was her love for all things quilts. She and Joan purchased and ran the Quilt Shop in Ottawa for more than 20 years and traveled the continent in search of the perfect fabric. Over the last 15 years she made hundreds of lap quilts, almost all of which she donated to health institutions in Ottawa, giving patients and residents a little more colour and comfort in their lives.
A ceremony to celebrate Judie’s life will be held at a later date and her ashes will be buried at sea and in France.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charitable organization that had meaning to Judie, including the Ottawa Humane Society, the Ottawa Food Bank or the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Judy Belyea Tuesday October 26th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Ottawa, Province: Ontario