Judi Ann Aka Judy Rheinsmith

Judi Ann Rheinsmith was born May 5, 1948, in Chicago, Illinois, at West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park. Though her birth name was Judy, she preferred to be known as Judi—with an “I,” not a “Y”—a small reflection of the unique and independent spirit she carried throughout her life.

Judi grew up in Shorewood, Illinois, where she attended Bluff Elementary School, Shorewood Junior High, and Shorewood High School. As a young girl, she volunteered as a candy striper at the hospital during the summers—an early sign of the compassion that would guide her life. She also loved spending time outdoors, especially going to the lake and water skiing.

She attended the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, where she formed lasting friendships and discovered her passion for helping others through healthcare and psychology. Judi later earned her Master’s degree in Psychology and obtained her CAC III license in drug and alcohol counseling.

Judi devoted more than 20 years to the psychiatric departments at Boulder Community Hospital and the Boulder Mental Health Center, where she also served as a supervisor. She later shared her knowledge and passion for helping others as a professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz. She loved traveling and carried her passion for travel into her nursing career. She joined the traveling nurse program and visited numerous places, with Hawaii being her favorite destination. After retiring from full-time work, she fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening her own private counseling practice.

With her vibrant, magnetic personality, Judi had a natural gift for connecting with people. She easily made friends wherever she went. She lived with an extraordinary zest for life and a spirit of adventure that inspired those around her. Helping others was not just her profession—it was simply who she was.

She was a proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous for more than 25 years and often spoke about how meaningful that community was in her life. Faith and music were also important to her. Judi was an active member of Columbine Unity Church and loved singing in the church choir.

Judi loved living in Boulder, Colorado, and felt deeply connected to the beauty of the surrounding mountains and outdoors. She especially enjoyed camping and traveling, visiting places she had long dreamed of seeing, including a recent Africa and Europe trip. Her favorite place was Clearwater Beach, where she loved the soft white sand and peaceful ocean views. Judi also loved animals, sharing her life over the years with many beloved dogs, cats, ducks, fish, turtles, and more …

Above all else, Judi loved and adored her son and his family. She was a devoted, loving, and doting mother and grandmother. Her compassion, adventurous spirit, and generous heart will be remembered always. Fly high, beautiful lady, with your gossamer heavenly angel wings !!

Judi is survived by her son, Brandon Rheinsmith; his wife, Hannah; and their two children, Luke Lewis and Cora Lee; as well as her sister, Meri-Ann Puffer, and her brother, Charles Rheinsmith. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jewel and Lewis Rheinsmith.

A celebration of Judi’s life will be held on May 5th in Boulder, Colorado, on what would have been her 78th birthday. All who would like to celebrate Judi’s life are invited to attend. Please contact Brandon for details at [email protected]

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make a donation, in Judi’s memory, to one of her favorite charities: the National Alliance on Mental Illness: naminycmetro.org, 212-584-3365 or the ASPCA: secure.aspca.org