Helen Amelia Judah died peacefully in her sleep at home in Columbia on Monday, February 18, 2019. Visitation will be held from noon to 2 p.m. on Monday, February 25, 2019 at Memorial Funeral Home. The service will follow at 2 p.m. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband of more than 50 years, James Judah. James and Helen resided southwest of Columbia when all the roads leading to Columbia were gravel. They also farmed in Howard and Callaway Counties. Their farms were called Westcliffe Farms. Besides farming, they raised beef cattle and with assistance from the University of Missouri, they experimented with hogs from inception to market in houses over lagoons. When Westcliffe Farms was no longer farmed, it was sold for development.
As their farm progressed, Helen volunteered at the Boone County History and Culture Center. She enjoyed meeting the public while working in the gift shop and helped decorate for events. At 91, Helen took a National Weather Service course and became a volunteer severe weather storm spotter. She always carried her spotter ID card.
Helen loved to decorate her homes and did it beautifully. She was a persnickety seamstress and even made her own drapes. All those who visited her were treated to her gracious hospitality.
Helen is survived by her sister, Patsy Kroeck of Hollister, MO; nieces Karla Gordon of Columbia, Sydney Caddy of Florida, and Tory Maples of Hollister, MO; and nephews Richard R. Kroeck, Jr. of Mountain View, Arkansas, Tom Cullen and Hank Cullen, both of the St. Louis, MO area. Her heart and home was always open to friends and family. She was also preceded in death by 2 nieces, Kathy Cullen and Shirley Gallatin
Her favorite charities were St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and memorials are appreciated to either.
