Judith Ellen Way

Judith (Judy) Ellen Nelson Way was 77 when she passed away on August 24th, 2021 at Bonaventure Assisted Living in Castle Rock. She was the daughter of Dr. William Conrad August Neson and Ellen Ermina (Mills) Nelson.

Judy was born October 2,1943 in Kansas City, Missouri. As a child, Judy was not a “girly” girl. She loved to play baseball, and even got a baseball uniform when she was a child. She also got a chemistry set as one of her best Christmas presents, Her father set up a lab in the basement. As a dentist, he could provide lots of chemicals to use in her experiments.

She had three lifelong friends that she met in elementary school. They were known as The Four Musketeers. She graduated from Southeast High School in Kansas City, Missouri. She excelled in Performing Arts and was President of the high school yearbook and newspaper staff.

Judy graduated from the University of Kansas in 1965 with a teaching degree in Spanish. She did a study abroad program in Guanajuato, Mexico, and developed a love for travelling. She graduated from KU (Rock Chalk Jayhawk) in 1965, and went on to become a Spanish teacher at Meadowbrook Jr. High School where she met her future husband.

She married the love of her life Walter Way on June 11, 1966 in Aurora, Illinois. Judy learned how to slalom water ski and live life to the fullest.

On September 8, 1970 Judy gave birth to her beloved son David Way in Winfield, Illinois. She was very worried when he wouldn’t cry right away. but was relieved when the nurse took her to see him getting a bath, and he was sobbing.

She and her family moved to Topeka, Kansas in 1973. They lived there for a year. Judy and Walt had a house built in the woods, and she grew a garden with a variety of fruits and vegetables.

They moved to Aspen, Colorado in 1974. Judy learned how to snow ski right away, went horseback riding, camping, and hiked numerous mountains. One of her favorite memories was when her family came to visit from Kansas City in 1975 for Christmas. They really enjoyed the trip home from old Stapleton Airport. They also rode in a one horse open sleigh singing carols and had dinner on top of Snowmass Village Mountain.

In 1980, Judy and Walt continued their love of travelling by going to London, Paris, Rome and Madrid. Judy made a wish by throwing a coin in Trevi fountain that she would return one day. That happened in 1995.

Also in 1980, Judy and her family moved to Walsenburg, Colorado for seven years. She became active in the local public library by joining its board and creating a modern children’s section. She was a real trooper. When her son David wanted to hike Pikes’ Peak for his birthday, she did it. Judy and David became pretty good at racquetball. She had many “white-knuckle” rides as she helped David learn to drive. She was known for hosting large family events at Thanksgiving and Christmas. She was the family historian, and kept Swedish family traditions in place. Judy was a fantastic aunt, and did many things with her nieces.

In 1987, she and her family moved to Elizabeth, Colorado. Finding the need to save money for her son to go to college, Judy returned to teaching Junior High and High School Spanish in Peyton,Colorado. In 1996, Judy was named Colorado’s Foreign Language Teacher of the Year. During her spare time she would travel to different parts of the world with her husband and son. In 1995, she made her return to Europe by going to London, Scotland, back to London, Paris, Switzerland, Venice, Florence, and Rome. One of the best days of her life was when she was able to explain to her mother who had Alzheimer’s that her son was getting married. She was finally able to retire from teaching in 2003.

In 2004, her granddaughter Danielle was born, and in 2007, her other granddaughter Chloe was born. She was the world’s greatest grandmother. There were numerous tea parties, bedtime stories, and viewings of dance recitals. She loved doing makeup, reading the newspaper and snuggling with them in the morning. She spent two months at her son/s and daughter-in-laws' house taking care of Danielle as a newborn. One time, she allowed Danielle and Chloe to roll her in toilet paper, and dress her up like a mummy.

Judy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2016, but kept a fantastic attitude and didn’t let life bring her down. She and Walt moved to Bonaventure Assisted Living in 2019.

Judy is survived by her husband Walt; son David (Dana); Granddaughters Danielle and Chloe; Sister Suzanne Lightle, Brother Thomas Nelson, Nieces Amy (Lightle) Bobro and Nikki Lightle, Great Niece Ashley Bobro and Great Nephew Cooper Bobro, Stepsons Walter Way (Twyla), Robert Way, and Armand; and step grandchildren Lindsey, Austin, Jennifer, Adrian, and Evan.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer's Association or Lumicare Hospice.