Judith Ann Wilson

Judith A. (Judy) Wilson was born on a small farm in rural Iowa. She was the eighth of 14 children. She grew up in Anita, Iowa, and after high school graduation, she made the brave move to Omaha, Nebraska. When she was in Omaha, she met the love of her life, Max Wilson. While he was stationed at Offutt AFB. They married in 1961. Their journey took them from Omaha to Salt Lake City, and eventually to Phoenix. In 1974, they moved to Litchfield Park, where they built their forever home.

Judith’s talents were as wide as her heart. She was skilled in poetry, drawing, painting, and pottery. Her love for art guided her to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Arizona State University, the first college degree in her family. Education was important to her, not just as an accomplishment, but as a life-changing gift. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to pursue learning with confidence and hope.

What people remember most about Judith was the love she built into everyday moments. Her kitchen was the center of her family—where kids, grandkids, and visitors gathered for meals, stories, laughter, and sometimes tears. She could create delicious food for large groups on short notice, and her family recipes continue to live on in the traditions she helped shape.

Judith was talented with her sewing machine. She made clothes, costumes, and performed numerous alterations for family and friends. She was known for her beautiful quilts, a skill she shared with one of her daughters and a few granddaughters, so that others in the family learned the craft—hand-sewn, unique, and meaningful—just as Judith had learned from her mother.

With a great sense of humor and a laugh that filled the room, Judith was also an unforgettable storyteller. Small in stature, she carried a big spirit—whether entertaining at home or sharing stories on the golf course. Her honest take on life will be missed by many who sought her counsel.

Although her passing has left an indelible scar in the hearts of her family, the fond memories they have of her will help to ease the pain of her loss.

Judith is survived by her daughters—Laura (Mark), Tracy, Shannon, and Aimee (Tina) - eight grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her wider circle of loved ones, a brother and four sisters. She was preceded in death by her son Val; her parents; her husband; four brothers and four sisters, and one unfortunate roadrunner.

Funeral services will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Avondale. A Rosary will be recited at 10:00 a.m. and a Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on August 18th, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude or a charity of your choice in Judith's name.