Judith Anne Prowell, 79, of Bellevue, WA passed away
July 01, 2021.
Judy was born August 6, 1941, in Des Moines, Iowa to Romaine and Lucille West and she is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Tim L. Prowell, and children; Christopher, Elizabeth, and Timothy.
Judy touched many lives during her during her 79 years. She was a daughter, a wife, a mother, a friend, a neighbor, a volunteer, an avid nature lover. She used her life well to try to make the world around her a better place, and she leaves behind many good memories and stories which live on in the people whom she touched.
Judy began her life in Iowa and was born into a steel worker family though she seemed to long for adventures out west. In her 20’s she moved out to California and worked for an insurance company. One day, she met a cute neighbor in her apartment complex. Though they lived on different floors, they developed a friendship, a relationship, and soon got married. A wonderful marriage that lasted over 50 years. Judy and Tim moved up to Washington, where they fell in love with the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, settled in Bellevue, and raised a family of three wonderful kids.
Judy loved being a homemaker – baking, cooking, gardening, and crafting. Some of her specialties included gingerbread, peach pie, and spaghetti. However, she also cared about the community beyond her home as well. Her volunteering and service to others was a natural extension of her personality. She looked after and befriended neighbors because that’s just what you did. She volunteered her time in different ways – with the PTA and in numerous ways as her kids were growing up. But then also staying involved in the lives as children as a “Picture Lady” – bringing artwork into elementary schools to teach young people how to notice and appreciate art and the beauty around them.
Judy loved the outdoors and many of her relationships with family and friends developed and deepened on hikes and walks. Judy loved to walk and hike – and she did this with different people – sometimes in groups and sometimes one on one. She liked to be prepared – to know what to expect and to share tidbits of information for the people that she was with. But she didn’t just like to look at the natural world around her, she also was an advocate to try and protect, preserve, and restore the environment. She’d volunteer her time, write letters advocating for environmental concerns and she’d try and do her personal best not to let any resources go to waste. If she needed to empty a water bottle, why pour it down the drain when you could give it to a thirsty tree? She loved the natural world – not just in theory but being out there and a part of it and she wanted us all to be better stewards of the creation. Judy was also a sports fan – She liked Iowa, Iowa State, and the Seahawks, but especially the Seattle Mariners. Win or lose – she faithfully supported her team. She would get to know the unique characteristics of the different players and follow their progress throughout the season. Judy was also a fiercely competitive Scrabble player. And a crafter who loved to go to craft shows and see the creative and interesting work of others.
Judy was a good listener. While she might have her own perspectives and opinions, she was also easy going and non-judgmental. She was supportive to her friends and family, sharing highs and lows, processing life events, nurturing and cultivating the best in others. She’d try and notice even little details, remark on them, and admire them. She did this in people, in nature, in art – Judy wanted to see and appreciate the beauty, the creativity, the humor, and the wonder of life.
Judy wanted to focus on the positive. Even as she got sick and her health deteriorated, she’d still try to do as much as she could for as long as she could. She didn’t want to get negative, but rather she wanted to focus on the things and people that she loved and cared about. Judy was a treasured wife, mother, friend, and neighbor. She taught us to never give up and to take care of others.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.6