Judith Lee Rea

It is with a heavy heart that we share with you the passing of Judith (Judy) Lee Rea, who left this world from the comfort of her home in Boulder, Colorado on August 26th, 2020. She leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, fortitude, and kindness that will live on in the hearts and minds of her 6 children, 14 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.

Judy was born in North Platte, Nebraska on May 29th, 1936 to Lee Murdock and Louella Purcell Murdock. Experiencing the loss of her own mother while just a junior in high school, she had to grow up quickly and raise her younger brother and take care of her father. She graduated from North Platte High School in 1954, where she was very involved with the school newspaper and yearbook production. She also loved ballet and tap dancing. In 1955 she married her husband of 65 years, Robert E. Rea Jr. They moved to Hershey, Nebraska, where Bob took a teaching position at O’Fallons School and Judy a position at First National Bank. After Bob finished a short teaching position in Dalton, Nebraska, the Rea family moved to Littleton, Colorado, where they continued to grow their family for 11 years. All Souls Catholic School benefited from both of their talents. Bob taught, coached and served as principal, while Judy was heavily involved in volunteering, field trips, library, cafeteria and religious education. In 1971 they were back in North Platte for a few years where Judy worked as an office manager of fund raising for Great Plains Medical Center.

In 1974 the Reas moved back west to their forever home in Boulder, Colorado. Judy dedicated her entire life to service and devotion to her family, it is truly what gave her the most joy and sense of why she was put on this earth. Volunteering at Paddock elementary led to volunteering in the production department at Fairview High School which led to being on the payroll at the high school. She worked full time as a production assistant as well as head secretary of the counseling center. Judy retired from the Boulder Valley School District in 1991.

Retirement would find Judy spending lots of time with her children who now had budding families of their own. This offered countless moments that filled this grandmother and great-grandmother’s heart with joy. In her own words, when asked “Why did you have so many children?” her answer was “We were blessed.” Blessed she was, and she was a devoted member of St. Thomas Aquintas Catholic Church where she went to count those blessings at every opportunity. Judy co-piloted with Bob on many great road trips and vacations, but she was especially fond of getting to the New Orleans Jazz Festival and Mardi Gras on several occasions.

Judy is predeceased by her mother and father, Lee and Louella Murdock of North Platte, sister Peg Luzar of Evansville, and brother Richard Murdock of San Diego.

She is survived by her husband Robert Rea Jr. and their six children and their families. Tom (Melinda) Rea of Berthoud, and their children Megan (Ben) Carpenter, Michael Rea, and David Rea. Diana (David) Bailey of Fruita, and their children Ryan Bailey and Kevin Bailey. Cheryl (Joe) Russell of Eagle, and their children Morgan (Natalie) Russell, Kaitlin (Jason) Quinn, and Brendan Russell. Tim (Wendy) Rea of Fairplay, and children Jeff Rea and Brad Rea. Robert Rea III of Boulder, and his child Robert Rea IV (Vicki). Maura (Ted) Stauffer of Broomfield, and their children Samantha (Justin) Crowe, Adam (Lauren) Stauffer, and Nicholas Stauffer. Her time here on Earth was further blessed by her great-grandchildren, Claire and Emma Carpenter, Carver Russell, Bear, Lakota, and Tehya Quinn, Tenley and Mason Rea, and Ayda Rea. She is also survived by Jim and Arlene Rea of Lincoln, Nebraska and Jean Murdock of Mesa, Arizona.

Visitation will be Monday, August 31st, from 4-7 PM with a recitation of the Rosary at 6:30 PM, at Crist Mortuary in Boulder, Colorado.

Those wishing to honor her memory might consider a donation to one of the following:

Impact on Education Foundation for Boulder Valley Public Schools https://www.impactoneducation.org/donate/

Broomfield Community Foundation https://www.broomfieldfoundation.org/giving/

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center https://www.thomascenter.org/

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, we are unable to celebrate Judy’s life right now. There will be a memorial service and catholic funeral next spring.