Dr. Judith Ann Linford Croy

May 15, 1937 - April 28, 2019

Judith Ann Linford, noted Colorado educator, died at her home in Morrison, Jefferson County Colorado on 28 April 2019 just short of her 82nd birthday. Judith Ann was born on 15 May 1937 in Laramie, Wyoming to newspaper editor Ernest Hess Linford and Lala Frances Mau Linford, Ernest’s wife and business partner. Judy is survived by her two brothers, Gary J. Linford of Laramie, Wyoming, and J. Lloyd M. Linford of Berkeley, California, her son, Michael Thomas Wood, Colorado, and her daughter, Marilee Wood Bryant, Denver Colorado. She leaves behind six granddaughters, one grandson, one great-grandson, and four great-granddaughters. Judy was preceded in death by her older daughter, Kimberlee Ann Wood Weber.

Judy was the daughter of Ernest Hess Linford and Lala Frances Mau Linford. Based upon her stimulating home life, Judy wished to become either a journalist or a teacher. She started elementary school by attending the Nellie Ilses School in Laramie, WY. 11 year old Judy and her family soon moved to Salt Lake City, Utah after her father was offered the editorship of the Salt Lake Tribune’s Editorial Page. Following Judy’s graduating from East High School in Salt Lake City in 1955, she briefly attended Westminster College before marrying Charles T. Wood in February 1956 at the Wasatch Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City.

During their three decades of married life, “Judy and Chuck” had three children: Kimberlee Ann, Michael Thomas, both born in Salt Lake City, and Marilee Frances born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. In 1986 Judy and Charles Wood were divorced.

Judy spent ten hectic years in college while tending three children and an upwardly mobile husband. She diligently worked on her degree until she graduated in 1972 with a BA in English. While Judy was working on her BA degree, she also spent time as a volunteer working in the area of community service. For a time, she was the president of the organization, Preservation of Kansas Landmarks, a group of women who raised funds to restore a Victorian landmark, the Warkentin House, now on the National Register of Historic Places. After living successively in Wyoming, Massachusetts, Utah, Delaware, New Mexico, Indiana, and Kansas, finally Judith Ann, her husband, and her children settled in the Denver, Colorado area where, for the past 47 years, Judith Ann Linford has since lived, worked, and contributed.

For much of that time in Colorado, Judy worked as a teacher/coordinator for the Jefferson County Schools, the largest school district in Colorado. She taught high school English and was involved in counseling. She initiated a program at Arvada High School called COE (Cooperative Occupational Education) and for nine years she worked with potential high school drop-outs at Arvada High School in Arvada, CO. In addition to her BA in English, Judy earned a master’s degree in business administration. In 1985, she enrolled in a doctoral program in education at Colorado State University which led to her being awarded a doctorate in education in 1990.

In 1989, Judy married Donald Croy who operated his own engineering consulting firm in Golden, CO. Together Judy and Don enjoyed being with their many grandchildren as well as the adventurous trips to Europe their grandchildren took with them. In January 2019, Donald Croy preceded Judith Ann Linford in death.

Judy’s pride and joy were her grandchildren: Kimberlee’s daughters; Tabatha, Ashley, Jennifer, and Chloe and Marilee’s daughters; Lindsey and Carlee. As of 2019, Tabatha, Ashley, and Jennifer have had children of their own, making Judith Ann a “Great-grandmother.” Michael Thomas Wood has a son, Christopher, who by now also has a daughter, Camryn.

Judith Ann Linford worked very hard during her very active life to improve herself and influence the lives of others. She will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be from 5-7pm on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at Olinger Crown Hill with her Celebration of Life at 11:00am on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at Olinger Crown Hill, Pavilion of Reflection.

To conclude her services, she will be laid to rest at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to The Alzheimer's Association of Colorado,

455 N. Sherman St., #500, Denver, CO 80203, https://www.alz.org/co