Kathryn Jobe Judson

A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Kay was born in Pennsylvania, the third child of Dr. William and Irene Jobe.

She grew up in Akron, Ohio enduring the hardships of the Great Depression. At an early age, Kay learned the value of work, finding whatever work possible on weekends and during summer vacations. Her high school years were filled with extra-curricular activities: a violinist in the orchestra, a member of glee-club, three years in the National Honor Society, and president of the Censowe Club, her high school's program to aid the educational and social growth of teen girls. Her senior year of high school, Kay was awarded the Womanhood Cup for the girl most representing high standards of character and leadership.

The following fall, she began studies at the University of Akron. At different times during the Depression college years, she worked in a department store, as a part-time model, a flower shop clerk, and a waitress in the professors dining room, all while carrying a full academic program. Kay was a member of Kappa Kapa Gamma sorority and served as Pledge President. She was honored as a member of Phi Delta Kappa Honor Society, as well as Phi Beta Kappa Academic Honor Society. In 1944, she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

While at the University of Akron, Kathryn met the love of her life, David Judson. Soon the impact of World War II would forever be the pivotal point for all. Kathryn was a war bride in 1943, marrying David, who left his bride of three days for three years of combat in Europe with the elite 82nd Airborne Division.

In the years following David’s return from the war, two daughters and one son soon blessed their lives. David attended law school while Kay took a break from teaching for more family time. The young family moved from Akron to Phoenix, Arizona in 1955.

After arriving in Arizona, two more daughters blessed their family. Kay returned to teaching. As she especially enjoyed teaching children to read, she chose to teach first grade and did so for the remainder of her career. Since her children shared the same school holidays and summer vacations, teaching seemed the perfect job for a working mother, a post war phenomenon.

As a teacher, a mother of five and a grandmother of ten, and great-grandmother of fourteen, children enriched the fabric of Kay’s life. For her 33 years as a teacher, education was a central theme. She continued postgraduate work earning a Master of Arts in Education from Arizona State University in 1979. In addition to teaching, Kathryn co-authored Arizona’s Standard Primary Reading Evaluation Test, served on the Superintendent’s Advisory Council, co-chaired development of primary gifted programs, served as president of Arizona’s Educational Association, and served as a district representative for the Governor’s Resource Cadre.

Retirement years brought Kathryn greater clarity of the joy in her faith. At church she found dedicated Christian friends, fellowship and inspirational leading. She volunteered in the church’s enrichment classes, enjoyed being a Sunday morning service "greeter", and coordinated the telephone prayer chain. She knitted more than 100 stocking hats for the church missionary outreach program, and Kay and David also enjoyed volunteer work together at the church-sponsored thrift store.

Kay is survived by her children Cynthia Casanova, Deborah (Thomas) Woods, Thomas (Connie) Judson, Leah (John) Rucker, Michelle (Ken) Van Egmond; grandchildren Jeff, Brian, Matt, Stephanie, David, Daniel, Rachel, Chris, Eric, and Jason; and 14 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by the love of her life and her husband of 71 years, David Judson, her parents, and her siblings.

Always in our hearts, a private family memorial service will be held for Kay. Her final resting place will be with her husband, David, at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.