Judith Kay Houchens

Judith “Judy” Kay (Robinson) Houchens passed away on May 21, 2021. A celebration of life will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church (4500 E. Hampden Ave, Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113) on June 3, 2021 at 10am, with a reception immediately following in the church hall. The service will also be Live Streamed at BethanyLive.org.

Judy was born in Seattle, WA on December 30th, 1944. She grew up there alongside her sister, Georgia, and loved playing on the rocky beaches and swimming in Puget Sound. She was a proud graduate of Queen Anne High School (1963) and loved returning to Seattle with her husband and daughters to visit family.

After attending Eastern Washington University for two years, Judy became a stewardess for United Airlines. She enjoyed talking about the “glory days” of air travel, and often regaled others with her travel adventures. While working for United Airlines, she was stationed in Denver, where she met and married her husband, Duane. The two remained in Colorado, eventually settling in Southeast Denver, where they lived for 47 years until her passing.

After the birth of her second daughter, Judy quit flying and became a full-time mother, and eventually two more daughters came along. From volunteering in classrooms to carpooling to sports, Judy was an extraordinary mom. After mothering girls for so many years, she eagerly welcomed four son-in-laws into the family. She was a devoted, no-nonsense, spirited mother, who was always full of advice and encouraged her girls to follow their dreams.

Judy’s greatest joy in life was being a grandmother. Fondly referred to as “the baby whisperer,” she adored each of her grandchildren and reveled in spoiling them rotten. She was an avid attendee of their performances, concerts and sporting events, and always served them ice cream with her famous hot fudge no matter how much dinner they ate. Grandma Judy took her grandchildren to musicals, parks, petting zoos, museums, and especially loved hosting them at their home in Maui. They will miss the way her face lit up when she saw them and her big bear hugs.

Throughout her life, Judy was an avid reader, loved babies, dogs (animals of all kinds!), and the beach. She was actively involved at Bethany Lutheran Church in Denver, and was a part of Lois Circle there for many years. Judy was also dedicated to Kihei Lutheran Church in Maui, where she joined the knitting circle. She formed long-lasting and treasured friendships with women in Denver and Maui through her bridge group, garden club, church and beyond.

Judy and Duane enjoyed a remarkable 51 years of marriage together. They were entirely devoted to each other and made an excellent team. While much of their lives centered around their daughters and grandchildren, they were actively involved in their churches, and enjoyed traveling – especially in their later years, with trips to England, Germany, Africa and Spain. They cherished spending time at their second home in Maui, both while their daughters were growing up, and even more so during retirement.

After a 6 year battle with Primary Progressive Aphasia, Judy passed peacefully at her home on May 21st, surrounded by loved ones. The family is grateful to the many individuals who helped with her care throughout the years and supported the family during this difficult journey.

Judy is preceded in death by grandson, Gunnar Christian Birznieks. She is survived by her husband, Duane of Denver, CO; daughters Rebecca Stensland (Ryan), Jennifer Birznieks (Derek), Stephanie Davy (Adam), and Kathryn Schaefer (Jeffrey); grandchildren Anders and Britta Birznieks, Anne Stensland, Charles and William Davy, and Thomas and Benjamin Schaefer; sister Georgia Backman (Chris); sister-in-law Donna Sandberg; brother-in-law James Houchens; one niece and three nephews; and one great-niece.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Judy to:

Bethany Lutheran Church

4500 E. Hampden Ave.

Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113