Oct. 5, 1946 - Apr. 2, 2016
Hopefully this reflects some of my mom’s dry, witty humor because she would have wanted it that way. On the afternoon of April 2nd, 2016, Judith Denise Kennedy was removed from life support and passed away at Carson Tahoe Hospital, as a result of complications from a recent surgery… and smoking like a chimney, back in the day. In perfectionist and entertaining Judi form, she picked the perfect time and did it with a silent, humorous flair, passing at 4:02pm on 4/2. She probably put up her astral middle finger, as she ascended, to anyone that pissed her off throughout the years. She was surrounded and comforted by her loving and sometimes crazy son, possible daughter in law (if the same crazy son doesn’t screw it up), Daughter Denise, Mother Anita, Sister Pamela and her Uncle Dave. Judi was 69 years old. She may have said…Bummer, just 3 more years with the Board (she was the Executive Director of the Nevada State Board of Optometry for 17 years) and I would have had few extra retirement dollars to do some more improvements to the house, which would have made me curse and drink but proud and happy in the end, adopt a few more animals, which I would have given funny names to (Dogs Stan and Blanche and Thank you Becky for remembering her car name Lucas) and most importantly donate a few more bucks to Carson City casinos, Coors Light Silver Bullets and Virginia Slims, respectfully.
Judi was a bit of rolling stone in her early days, due to her stepfather being in the military and her own independent, fun spirit. She graduated Riverton High School in 1964. She was a paralegal for many years and as her close friend Patti said, probably knew more about the law than most of the lawyers she worked for. She was a lover of the theater of politics and Dennis Miller. After her children and pets, her greatest love was the Denver Broncos. Her mother Anita recalled when there was a person rooting for another team at her house and she told them “you’re going to have to leave”. She loved music and was a great dancer. Her friend Dale recalled the Christmas in July parties she used to throw every year when she lived in CO. Brianne and Staci, which worked down the hall from her, affectionately called her “Trouble” referring to her mischievous nature and she liked it! She rarely called anyone by their real names and instead gave people nicknames based on their personalities. She was always able make you laugh, no matter how dire the situation. Judi was born in Ogden, Utah on October 5th, 1946. She was the only daughter of Anita Malan and Eugene Purdy. Judi was preceded in death by her Grandmother Lida, Grandfather Alex, Aunt Jeannette, Uncle Ken, Uncle Keith, Great Aunt Joy, stepfather Sam and her ex-husbands Bruce and Larry. Judi is survived by her son Matthew, Daughter Denise, Grandchildren Ryan and Kelly, Mother Anita, half-sisters Cynthia, Pamela, Diana and Jeannette as well her Uncle Dave, Aunt Virginia, Cousins Cecilia and Jim as well as numerous other cousins and extended family.
In Judi’s memory, donations can be made in her name to Nevada Humane Society, 2825 Longley Lane, Suite B, Reno, NV 89502-5942 or http://nevadahumanesociety.org/donate/donate-online/. She adopted and loved many animals throughout the years, including the latest “juvenile delinquents”, Blanche and Stan. Ironically, she passed right before the Carson SPCA “Spay-Ghetti and No Balls” benefit dinner, which would have made her laugh. So…pop a Silver Bullet or your drink of choice and say “Cheers!” to my mom Judi. Her intelligence, combined with wicked sense of humor and biting wit will be sorely missed. She was so loved and respected. Thank you all for sharing your memories as well as your support and kindness. There will be a celebration of life party for her. Please call this number for more information. 949-637-3415. We tried to get her crush Dennis Miller for the eulogy but he wasn’t available. Take care and Enjoy life!