Judith Louise Bury Grady
Judith Louise Bury Grady, 77, passed away peacefully from complications due to Alzheimer’s disease on Aug. 20, 2013, at Expressions Memory Care Home.
Judy was born in Colfax, Wash., on March 24, 1936 to Gertrude Bassett Bury and Lloyd A. Bury. She graduated from Pullman High School in Pullman, Wash., in 1953 and went on to Washington State College from where she graduated in 1957.
It was during college that she met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Grady. After graduation, Judy worked in market research for Crown Zellerbach in San Francisco until 1959, while their relationship flourished. On May 23, 1959, Judy and Bob were married in Pullman, marking the beginning of a 54-year love affair.
Judy approached life with a quiet confidence and get ‘er done philosophy of life. She was a loving and dedicated wife and mother with a vast array of talents and interests. In addition to raising her two children, Dave and Laurel, she worked as a receptionist, high school secretary, an aid for autistic children, bookkeeper, and helped extensively at Medical Arts Pharmacy and Option Care in the 1980s and 90s, of which Bob was part owner.
Much of her life was spent supporting Bob’s career as a pharmacist and operator of pharmacies in Tacoma, Wash., Colfax, Wash., Redding and Stockton Calif. They also lived in Klamath Falls, Ore., when Bob served in the Air Force from 1962 to 1965.
Their move to Whitefish in 1981 was their last as she and Bob truly found their “best place.” Judy was an accomplished pianist and enjoyed playing at Christ Lutheran Church services over the years. Her many interests included quilting, sewing, travel, reading (voraciously), cooking, gardening, hiking, volunteering as a tutor.
Judy loved the Montana winters and the snow that would collect around their home in the woods. Christmas was an exciting time at the Grady house. Her family and friends will always remember her amazing fudge, tasty orange butter and from scratch “chex mix” on which we would gorge ourselves. Spring and summer was filled with gardening, clearing the property and some hiking, especially the annual family hike on the Highline Trail in Glacier Park. Later in her life, she and Bob enjoyed walking on the Whitefish streets and stopping for coffee and a treat at Coffee Traders.
Judy is survived by her loving husband, Bob; son, Dave Grady and his wife Linda; her daughter, Laurel Grady; granddaughters, Madison and Cassidy Grady, all living in Whitefish; and her sister, Joanne Bury of Stuart, Fla.
The family will have a private graveside service for Judy and a reception at a later date.
The family would like to express special appreciation to the amazing staff at Expressions Memory Care Home; to Frontier Hospice, especially Eleanor and Don; to Dr. Suzanne Daniell; and to Pastors John Bent and Ralph Boyer and staff of Christ Lutheran Church.
In lieu of cards or flowers, consider making a donation in Judy’s name to Shepherd’s Hand Clinic, North Valley Food Bank or the Whitefish Community Foundation.