Judith "Judy" Ann Lake

Judy Lake was an adventurer, a storyteller, an animal lover, and almost always the life of the party. She loved being outdoors, exploring new places, helping others, and sharing the stories of the many experiences she collected throughout her life.

Judy Lake, 81, passed away on September 19, 2026, at Western Slope Memory Care in Grand Junction, Colorado. She was born on July 26, 1945, in California, to Helen and Donald Lake.

Judy grew up in Longmont, Colorado, and throughout her life made her home in many places, including Los Angeles, California; Woodinville, Washington; Boise, Idaho; and Carbondale, Colorado. She embraced each place as an opportunity to experience something new and was always ready for her next adventure.

Judy was a loving and caring mother to her son, Travis Leach. She shared her love of adventure with him from an early age, taking him camping, backpacking, hiking, and volunteering. She taught him the values that were important to her—helping others, appreciating the outdoors, staying curious, and embracing life.

Judy graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder and went on to become the co-founder and Chief Financial Officer of Nova Information Systems, Inc. Nova was a software consulting firm that helped businesses navigate the emerging world of technology and move into the digital age. Judy was part of that transformation during its early years, helping clients adapt to a rapidly changing technological landscape.

During her time in Boise, Judy worked primarily in prisoner rehabilitation while also maintaining her beloved farm, Huckleberry Farm. She spoke fondly of her years at Huckleberry Farm and the memories she made there. Her love of animals, especially dogs and horses, was a constant throughout her life.

Judy's adventurous spirit carried her across the country and around the world. She loved to travel and especially treasured her time in Baja California and Africa. She and Randy Leach, Travis's father, were married before Travis was born and remained together throughout his childhood and into his later years. During their marriage, Judy and Randy lived aboard a sailboat in Los Angeles, California, embracing life on the water and the freedom to explore. Later, while living in Washington State, they continued to enjoy boating and exploring the coast.

Judy was an avid golfer and an enthusiastic reader. She loved music, especially rock and roll and blues, and she loved being around people and sharing stories about the places she had been and the experiences she had collected along the way. She was generous, social, and often the life of the party. Music, holidays, and gatherings were opportunities for Judy to bring her energy and joy into the room.

In her later years, Judy moved to Montrose, Colorado to be closer to her son, Travis. Even as her world became smaller, her love for the world around her remained strong. She delighted in the deer that visited outside where she lived, often saying that she took care of them. She also enjoyed the chickens that were part of the community where she lived and loved having them nearby. She continued to look for ways to help others and to share her joy with those around her. When music played or a holiday celebration was underway, Judy could still be found trying to bring a little life and happiness to the moment.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Helen and Donald Lake.

She is survived by her son, Travis Leach; her siblings, Jackie Smith, Barbra Rahe, and Duane Lake; and many other family members, friends, and loved ones who will carry her memory with them.

At Judy's request, there will be no funeral service. She was cremated according to her wishes. In lieu of flowers, the family invites those wishing to honor Judy’s memory to make a donation to the National Parks Foundation or Humane Colorado, causes that reflect her love of animals and exploring the outdoors.

Judy lived a life of adventure, curiosity, generosity, and joy. She loved the outdoors, animals, travel, music, people, and the many experiences that made life interesting. She will be remembered for her generous heart, adventurous spirit, love of her son, stories of the places she had been, and her determination to bring joy wherever she went.

She is loved, she is missed, and she will always be remembered.