Judith Ann Rolph

Judith Ann Rolph December 1, 1944 - May 11, 2010 Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, Judie and her parents, Al and Peg Rolph, moved to St. Louis, Missouri in the late '40's where Judie attended Lindbergh High School, then went on to S.E. Missouri State and graduated from Michigan State University in 1966. She shortly thereafter joined Pan American World Airways as a stewardess, and was based in Seattle, San Francisco, and London. In 1974, Judie accepted a temporary assignment and was based in Tehran, Iran, flying Islamic pilgrims to Mecca. She returned to flying the Pacific for many years, until transferring to London in the mid-eighties. Following the demise of Pan Am, Judie flew for Delta Airlines, until her retirement in 2002. In 1982 she met and married Stanley Earl Lewis, the love of her life and beloved husband of 27 years, until his untimely death January 27, 2009. Judie and Stan moved to England and spent five years there, where she continued to fly for Pan Am. Shortly after her arrival in England, she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Her valiant fight against this dreaded disease ended 24 years later with her death at age 65. Judie was active in Bakersfield East Rotary. Her charming personality and gregariousness endeared her to people of all ages. She read to and with children at Noble Elementary School in Bakersfield, and substitute taught for a number of years, following her retirement from flying. Judie is survived by her younger brother, Bill (Janine) and family of St. Louis, Missouri; stepchildren, Jo Mikelyn DeMers and family of Bakersfield; Richard Lewis (Meghan) and family of Los Gatos, CA; Darren Lewis (Lenka) and family of the Czech Republic; and Jason Lewis of New York City; and eight beloved grandchildren. Judie was a wonderful and beloved friend, wife, step-mother, daughter, sister and flying partner. Her sense of humor, her devotion to friends and family, would endear her to all she ever met. Her encouragement, generosity, and hospitality will be sorely missed. The sadness of her dying cannot diminish the joy of her living. In lieu of flowers the family requests remembrances in Judie's name to the Comprehensive Blood & Cancer Center, 6501 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA, (661) 322-2206 or the American Cancer Society or the Susan G. Komen Foundation or The Plank Foundation, 1400 Easton Drive, Ste. 107, Bakersfield, CA, (661) 323-7502. A memorial service and celebration of Judie's life will be held June 5th, at 1:00 p.m., at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 9101 Kern Canyon Road, Bakersfield, CA, (661)366-5766

www.hillcrestmemorial.com