It is with great sadness that we announce that Judy Grant passed away peacefully at the Health Sciences Centre on July 24th, 2020, at the age of 71, with family at her bedside.
Born in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Judy grew up berry-picking, fishing, riding horses, sewing, and baking pies. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at St. Francis Xavier and a Bachelor of Education at the University of Ottawa. While in Ottawa, Judy dedicated much energy to supporting independence movements in Africa, reflective of her lifelong sense of justice.
In 1977, she began her teaching career at Sagkeeng First Nation, near Pine Falls, Manitoba, where she soon met and married her husband, Sam Klippenstein, a fellow teacher. Judy was a skilled and compassionate Grade 1 teacher whose dedication was apparent to all. In 2006, she began dialysis due to kidney failure and retired from Wanipigow School in Hollow Water First Nation.
Judy’s biggest passion in life, however, was gardening. She spent countless hours planning, planting, and caring for her large flower and vegetable gardens. She also loved to spend days hunting for and picking blueberries and was deterred by neither heat nor mosquitoes. Other favourite pursuits were reading, family picnics, and hiking, particularly on the Boulder Hill trail with Sam. Another happy place for Judy was the Winnipeg Folk Festival; with her family, she attended all but one of the last forty festivals. She loved becoming a “Nana” and enjoyed visiting and talking with her two young grandchildren. She was a talented cook and baker, always trying new recipes and perfecting old ones, and nothing pleased Judy more than having the perfect serving dish in which to present her meal. Despite her many talents, Judy was self-deprecating; she often presented a thoughtful gift or a show-stopping dessert alongside an apology for its weaknesses.
Judy showed strength and perseverance through many challenges in life. We will all miss her wonderful sense of humour, kindness, and patience.
We are sincerely grateful for the compassionate care provided by the excellent staff at the Health Sciences Centre Medical Intensive Care Unit.
At Judy‘s request, no formal memorial service will take place. Her ashes will be scattered in her beloved home province of Nova Scotia at a later date.
Judy will be sorely missed by her loving husband, Sam, and six children, Daniel, Naomi (Soti), Matthew (Jessica), Heidi (Jay), Benjamin (Hilary), and Emily (Oscar), and two grandchildren, Ella and Jonah, as well as several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her brother, Kenneth, and sister, Maxine.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada.
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