August 10, 1939 – December 16, 2024

Judith (Judy) Ward passed away at Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital in Grass Valley, CA on December 16, 2024, at the age of 85. She died peacefully in her sleep after complications from pneumonia and Parkinson’s Disease. Her husband Pat was constantly at her side in the hospital and their three children, grandchildren, relatives, and close friends were able to visit and spend time with her before she passed.

Judy was born on August 10, 1939, in Manchester Connecticut to Ruth and Raymond Brunell. She was their only child. The family moved to the Philadelphia, PA area in the early 1950’s and in 1955 moved to Levittown, PA about 30 miles NE of Philadelphia.

She met her future husband, Patrick Ward, there in High School, 11th grade. They graduated in 1957 and maintained their boyfriend/girlfriend relationship, sometimes off-and-on, while Pat attended Penn State University and Judy worked for a year to earn money for college. Pat dropped out of college after one year and enlisted in the Air Force Aviation Cadet Program, graduating as a 2nd Lieutenant and USAF Navigator in 1959. Judy enrolled At Penn State in 1958 and graduated in 1962 with a BA in German Literature and a minor in Education. They became engaged and were married after her graduation. Pat was reassigned to Bermuda in 1962, and their first assignment together included a pink cottage on the beach, a little red sports car convertible, time to explore and enjoy the island, and excellent weather.

Following their return to the States in 1963 after Pat’s air refueling squadron was deactivated, subsequent tours included Columbus, OH, Okinawa, Omaha, NE, Grand Forks, ND, Little Rock, AR and Omaha again. Pat retired from the Air Force in 1988, and they moved to Nevada City, near his sister and close friends from Okinawa stationed at Beale AFB.

In addition to Judy’s adventures, challenges, and experiences as an Air Force Wife, she was able to achieve many personal accomplishments. She taught pre-school on base at Okinawa during their 5-year tour there and continued to teach pre-school after their return to Omaha in 1973. She also completed her degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of North Dakota, in Grand Forks, ND in 1979. Seeking new challenges, she entered Federal Service employment in Omaha in 1986 and after retiring to Nevada City transferred to the USGS Water Resource Division in Sacramento where she commuted to work before retiring in 1997.

Judy’s activities after retirement were varied and reflected her wide range of interests and abilities. She was an avid reader with an eclectic range of subjects. She volunteered with the Nevada County Friends of the Library (FOL) as a “Bookie”, sorting, pricing, and shelving donated books for the monthly FOL used book sale. She did this for over 20 years before retiring in 2015.

She was also a member for many years of the Nevada City Inner Wheel Club (Rotary), working with area Rotary clubs on community service projects.

Judy and Pat travelled extensively in their RV and had many memorable outdoor experiences with friends and family including bicycling, hiking, running/walking, camping, and skiing. Never experts at any of it but enjoying it while they could.

Judy was also an accomplished seamstress and quilter, loved art and music, especially classical, jazz, and early rock-and-roll. She additionally sang in several church choirs in some of their Air Force assignments.

Additionally, getting together with friends from the Air Force Pat and Judy have known for over 50 years who also retired in the area was always enjoyable.

Judy was outwardly reserved in many ways but was a kind and loving wife who was a devoted mother and grandmother who cared deeply about her family. Her ability to adapt to the challenges of an Air Force wife and the support she gave Pat during his career was exceptional.

She was smart, kind, knew a lot about many things, had a great memory, and a subtle sense of humor. Judy was also willing to try new things, especially outdoors, and encouraged by Pat, expanded her range of physical activities beyond what she sometimes thought she could do.

Most important, however, was Judy’s love of family, watching her children and grandchildren all grow into responsible adults. It was the most important thing in her life. Even after her health began to fail, she made every effort to recognize and participate in their activities as she could.

She will be warmly remembered and sincerely missed by everyone who knew her.

Judy is survived by her husband of 62 years, Patrick Ward, their three children, Kevin, Karin and Brian, and seven grandchildren: Phinneus, Adrienne, Annalise, Nicholas, Meagan, Cole, and Isabelle.

She is preceded in death by her father Raymond Brunell, her mother Ruth Brunell and her in-laws Joseph and Florence Ward.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 21st at 10:30 a.m. at Saint Canice Catholic Church, 317 Washington St, Nevada City, CA with a reception following at the Saint Canice Center at 236 Reward Street, Nevada City, CA.

Donations in her memory may be made to: Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation or the Nevada County Friends of the Library