Judith Martha Crandall

Judith, born on September 8, 1924 to Edmond and Elizabeth Van Boxstael in Herzele, Belgium, departed this life on November 22, 2017 in Visalia, California. She and her older brother Victor enjoyed a carefree upbringing until the country was occupied by the Germans during WWII. This presented challenges to the family, but Judith took them in stride as she regularly bicycled to Brussels to deliver food to her uncle’s family. In 1944, when the Allied Forces liberated Belgium, a young British soldier, James Carmichael, was attracted by the music coming from her parents’ café, and when he entered, he found not only music but the love of his life, Judith. Jim and Judith were married in July of 1946 and moved to Brussels where they opened a grocery store while Jim also had a job as an electrician. They started a family and welcomed two daughters, Mary and Jacqueline. Later on, Judith pursued her love of antiques and opened an antique store until the family immigrated to the United States in 1963. The move was encouraged by Judith’s American cousins, the De Craemers, who sponsored and helped settle the Carmichael family in Tulare. Jim eventually opened up his own electrical and air conditioning business and Judith did the office work. In 1975 Judith lost her husband, and then she helped teach in the food/restaurant classes at TCOVE. Judith also helped out with the care of her grandchildren and in later years her great grandchildren, who were her pride and joy. After being a widow for 17 years, Judith married Armond Crandall and they spent seven years together, traveling and enjoying retirement until Armond passed away. The last 18 years of Judith’s life were spent with her family and her dear companion, Manuel Luis. Judith had a positive outlook on life and cared deeply about all the people who were special to her. She was devoted to her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening, playing cards, traveling, and especially dancing. She will be dearly missed by her family and all whose lives she touched. She is survived by her daughters: Mary Carmichael and Jacqueline (Steve) Lawton; her grandchildren: Elizabeth (C.B.) Thompson, Yuri (Paul) Temmerman, Jim Plummer, and Mari Okada; her great-grandchildren: Mika and Enzo Temmerman, and Seamus, Liam and Darcy Thompson; her companion Manuel Luis and his family, and nephews: Ed Van Boxstael of Belgium and Ian Carmichael of Scotland and their families. The family would like to thank the medical staff at Kaweah Delta Hospital, especially the 2 South and 3 South wings, for the dedicated care Judith received there. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one’s charity of choice.

Graveside Services will be held at Tulare District Cemetery, 900 E. Kern Ave., Tulare on Friday, December 1, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Memorial Service at Christ Lutheran Church at 3830 W. Tulare Avenue, Visalia at 11:00 a.m. with Luncheon after service.

Tributes and condolences may be made at www.millerchapel.com Arrangements entrusted to Miller Memorial Chapel in Visalia.