Judy Margaret McDermid

Judy was born in Victoria, BC, the younger of two girls to “Mike” and Margaret Milligan. She attended schools in Vic West and Esquimalt High and went into Education at UVic to follow in the footsteps of her aunt Sandy. Judy was an athletic young woman in her second year when she was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease called Myasthenia Gravis (a rare neuro-muscular disorder). She was hospitalized, and after surgical interventions, including a trachea-stoma (which she wore for the rest of her life) Judy spent two years recovering in ICU. When she was discharged, Judy re-entered the world with no voice, compromised musculature, right side paralysis, and an indomitable spirit. Judy had begun a journal at the time of the diagnosis and with the help of friends many years later, she produced a play called “This Is My Voice” about her own life, which was staged in Comox, BC, and played to sold out performances.

Judy met Larry McDermid while attending meetings for supportive housing for disable folks in Victoria and they married in 1979, living in Maple Bay, Chemainus, Victoria, Chilliwack, and since 2005, in Courtenay. In 1982, they adopted a son Michael, who is profoundly deaf. Judy fell in love at first sight, and was able to turn an apparent disability (being without her voice) into an asset, because she was already using sign language in her home. She and Larry went back to Signed English classes so they could keep up with her brand new five year old sweet heart.

In 1999, Judy and Larry fulfilled a life ambition to attend a Christian missionary training school (YWAM) and so they spent six months in Costa Rica (Heredia campus) where Judy did laundry, fed goats, studied Scripture, and worked out her life’s passion of being “blessed to be a blessing.” Judy returned home to be a missionary in her own city. She would pick people to pray for, follow their life, and bless them when she had the opportunity to provide that connection that God showed her. Some of you reading this notice were / are the focus of Judy`s ministry.

Judy was predeceased by her dad “Mike”, grandmother Alice, aunt Sandy, aunt Eileen, uncle Ron and step-father Tim Palmer. Judy is survived by her mother Margaret Palmer, aunt Bev, sister Bev (Art), nephew David, nieces Theresa and Trina, Bev’s grandchildren Alicia, Brandon and Katie, husband Larry, son Michael, many friends, some lifelong, among them Val and Eric, and Byron. Thanks to the HCWs at CVCC and to Hospice for participating in Judy’s life.

While the pain and discomfort in Judy’s body was burdensome and a constant insult, she never found life a burden. She would take fierce exception if anyone thought that she might consider shortening her life by artificial or other (legal) means. Judy was pleased to be obedient when God called her and she passed from this life to be with her Saviour in peaceful sleep at home with Rachel, Rae, and Larry praying at her side. In Judy’s honour, a celebration of life service will be held at the United Church, 2688 Penrith, Cumberland BC on Saturday February 18th at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to the L’Arche I Belong Campaign would be welcome.