Judith "Judy" Ann Spruce

Judy was born on May 19, 1941 in San Antonio, Texas and grew up there with her parents Otto and Helen Tabbert and her sisters Beverly and Patricia. She graduated from Incarnate Word High School in 1959 and studied nursing at Seton School of Nursing in Austin, Texas.

While living in Austin, she met University of Texas student William Spruce on a blind date. Their love story began and they were married on November 11, 1961 at St. Paul’s in San Antonio, Texas. They moved to Dallas, Texas and then to Washington D.C. where William began his career as a diplomat in the Foreign Service.

Judy was an integral part of William’s career. They were posted in Mexico City where they welcomed their first two daughters Lynn and Leigh. They moved back to the D.C. area and welcomed a third daughter Laura. Next, William’s career took the family to their next few postings in Geneva, Switzerland, London, England, Republic of Singapore, Washington D.C., and Rangoon, Burma.

Judy loved reading and classical music and was an avid tennis player. She was at ease entertaining and became a gourmet international cook. Favorite trips included an African Safari in Kenya, Tunisia, India, Bali and many other European and Asian countries. Their final post took Judy and Bill back to their Texan roots in San Antonio.

Here Judy returned to her college studies and graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she made the honor roll and the Dean’s list, with a BA in Early Childhood Studies. She taught elementary school in the Northeast Independent School District at Camelot and Redland Oaks Elementary schools. She and William continued to enjoy traveling to favorite destinations which included Hawaii and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She retired from teaching in 2012 and was thrilled to be a loving Nana to her two granddaughters Robyn and Lucy.

Judy is survived by her husband, William, of 54 years. Daughters Lynn Spruce (spouse Kim), Leigh Spruce, Laura Wight (spouse Brian), granddaughters, Robyn and Lucy, sisters, Beverly Pace and Patricia Fox.

Judy was covered in love and care in her final days by her family and the staff at North Creek by Bonaventure.

A Celebration of Judy's life for family and friends will be held at 1 PM on Friday, August 26, 2016 at Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills Life Celebration Center, 409 Filbert Road, Lynnwood, Washington 98036. Casual attire requested.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Judy's memory may be made to:

Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA):

912 Killiam Hill Road SW

Lilburn, GA 30047

(480) 722-5434

www.lbda.org