Judith Irene Writer, 79, passed away surrounded by family on October 10th, 2018, at Crescent Health Care in Yakima, Washington. She was born in Blencoe, Iowa on May 3rd, 1939, to Russell and Opal (Turner) McLaughlin. Judith was married to Roy Fender and had four children, Rory, Robert, Richard and Tracy. Delbert and Judy married on March 29, 1965, and had Kelly Writer.
She worked as a nurse’s aid while she lived in Iowa. She has always had a passion for working in the geriatric field. She worked at the Wapato Medical Clinic for several years as a medical transcriptionist. After her children graduated she went back to school to become a nurse. Judith graduated on May 9, 1987, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. She worked at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Parkside Nursing Home, and retired from nursing at Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center in 2009. When Judith wasn’t working as a nurse, her other passion was tending to her rose gardens and taking pictures.
Judith is survived by her sister Patricia Gibson of Blencoe, IA; her brother Russell McLaughlin of Yakima, WA; her son, Rory Fender (Teri) of Hampton, IA; her son Robert Fender (Kathy) of Clarion, IA; her son Richard Fender (Penny) of Ozarks, MO; her daughter Tracy Ritchie (Joe) of Harrah; her son Kelly Writer of Oregon; step-sons Dennis, Ross and Gary Writer; 21 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
Judith is preceded in death by her husband, Delbert Writer; father, Russell McLaughlin; and mother, Opal (Turner) McLaughlin.
Judith’s Funeral Service will be on Monday, October 15th at 11:00 a.m. at the Harrah Grace Brethren Church. The burial will be at the Reservation Community Memorial Park in Wapato, WA. Following the burial there will be a reception at the Harrah Grace Brethren Church.
