Judith Grundy (Passed away 25 May 2024)

Judith Anne Grundy, Judy to many

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend to many, passed away peacefully on May 25th, 2024.
Born the only girl, having five brothers, a year before WW II began, Judith knew how to make the most of whatever came her way. She grew up in Primrose Hill, Huddersfield and attended school there leaving at the age of 14 to started work at the Co-op on New Street in the town centre as a window dresser. She worked for a number of years for the YEB as a records clerk answering the phone to the general public with a telephone voice. She had a creative streak; she could sew and knit the most wonderful garments. She could French polish and set about transforming pieces of furniture to enhance the home. She learnt German in her 60’s and in later years took pottery and art classes. She had a real eye and was a prolific potter and artist with a certain flair for creating Japanese, Chinese style pieces. When she laid down her brushes and paints she took to dying her hair pink, something she became known for and it suited her so well.
Judith was always a kind and empathetic person full of love to give and always willing to help if she could. She raised three daughters, Maxine, Julia and Rebecca to become strong, independent, thoughtful women, just like herself. She wasn’t afraid to take on the world despite odds stacked against her – something she instilled into anyone who came across her. Being divorced in 1963 and having to provide for and raise two young daughters on her own, whilst having a full time job, she had to be both mum and dad. She was strict but fair, self-sacrificing and loved unconditionally. Rebecca came later in life when Judith was 40 and had remarried to Bill. Life was less stressful for many years but more personal challenges came when the marriage ended and Judith filed for divorce at the age of 74.
She was a fantastic grandmother helping to raise the two eldest grandchildren, Richard and Charles, during school holidays and nursing them if they were sick allowing her daughters to continue working in the knowledge they were being well cared for. Rebecca and her nephews could all play together during these times – Richard being only 1 month younger and Charles came along 8 years later. Her two youngest grandchildren, Lily and Angus, were lucky enough to spend the last five years getting to know her since Rebecca and her husband Pete made the decision to spend those years back in the UK before once again heading back home to Australia. Judith was known to her great grandchildren, Sebastian, Fabian and Penelope, simply as GG and she loved to see them whenever she could. It is safe to say Judith loved children, always finding the joy in them and safe to say everyone who got to know Judith loved her back.
Judith was a home maker. She was proud of her home and took pleasure in making it beautiful. She was a nurturer and would go to the ends of the earth for her family. She was also adventurous and travelled the world, sometimes alone to visit family, Australia, Canada.
She was cheeky, with a wicked sense of humour, loved a fart joke! Always up for a trip to the pub but never to the bar. She was generous with her money and her love. She had plenty of style and always looked good – she could have been wearing a bin bag but she would rock it!
Judith was a petite, mere slip of the a thing but she was a fighter overcoming COVID before the vaccine had arrived as well as sepsis – she was in a care home for a short while due to ill health but as a family the decision was made to bring her back to her home and be looked after by two wonderful live in carers, Vanda and Debbie. It was a blessing as Judith was surrounded by all the things she loved and family could be part of her bubble during those awful times. This worked for 2 years but unfortunately mums needs became more and more so again she had to move this time it was to Sycamore Park where she was looked after very well, by all the lovely care staff, particularly Arik who called her “Posh Lady”. Judith wasn’t posh but she knew how to be a lady so had an air of “posh”.
Judith took ill 4 weeks before she passed and was taken to Kirkwood Hospice where she spent her last weeks under the expert care of the wonderful staff that work there. She was no trouble even though she was so poorly. She bore it well and never complained. She would smile rather than frown being happy with her lot to the end.
Whoever’s life Judith touched they would get to know she was a beautiful human being and they all loved her.
Her family are so proud to have had her in their life – she was one of a kind and will remain in their hearts forever.