Judith Elizabeth Mitchell

Her life of adventure began March 24, 1931, birth place Vancouver British Columbia, Canada. Judy was adopted as a baby by Nellie Mitchell. As a child she enjoyed the goats and dogs they owned, ice skating on Como Lake, horseback riding and learning to play the violin. Perhaps the seed for her love of dressing like a cowgirl started way back then. She completed 11th grade and set off to make her way in the world.

Judy married Harold A Solomon at 18 years old. Within a few years along came David and Sandy. In her early twenties the young family immigrated to the United States, settling in California first. Two more children were born, Nancy and Sue, prior to moving again and eventually settling in southern Oregon. Southern Oregon became Judy’s home base to which she would always return throughout the remainder of her life. A number of years later Judy married Leland (Cal) DeBow and gave birth to Robin (Jule) and Leland.

Judy thoroughly enjoyed to work. She worked at a myriad of jobs in her lifetime; stay at home mom, waitress, seamstress and caregiver etc. Judy was also an entrepreneur. She was the owner and operator of multiple adult foster care homes. Throughout the years she would make side money from her sewing, quilting, knitting and rag rug sales. It could be said that Judy never really retired as she wasn’t one to sit around for any length of time. She wholeheartedly delved into helping her children with whatever they needed: cleaning, carpentry, yard work, running a business, painting, transportation and cross country moves. You name it, Judy did it. She often proclaimed “I’m a jack of all trades, master of none “. I say-she mastered quite a few.

Judy wasn’t all work though. She loved to enjoy the diversity life had to offer. She clocked countless hours of playing Upwords, Cribbage, Pinochle and cards with family and friends. She loved to read and consistently wrote letters to family and friends. Traveling was a favorite of hers. Judy considered herself part “gypsy”. Her cars and motorhomes had the miles to prove it. They say “all who wander are not lost.“ Judy had an internal compass that always pointed to adventure. Adventure called and Judy answered again and again. Her list includes camping all over the U.S., snowmobiling, waterskiing, four-wheeling, backpacking into the Grand Canyon, hiking in Arizona, Hawaii, New York and the Pacific Northwest. However, Judy’s love for bicycling topped them all. Although, she didn’t become an avid rider until almost 60. It became a passion that led to longer and longer rides. She would load up her panniers and set out to see the world from behind the handle bars of her bike. Judy’s longest ride was from Medford OR to Banff British Columbia Canada and back. She rode 2280 miles while carrying all her gear to eat, ride and sleep for the entire six weeks. Later Judy would snowbird it to Quartzsite, AZ into her 80’s. Her daily routine would be to bike into town with her empty gallon jugs to haul water back to her motorhome.

Judy was a creative person. She could make any place a home with her ingenuity and creativity. In her home you would find the telltale homemade curtains, embroidered doilies and pillow slips, handmade quilts, rugs and pillows. But what Judy is most famous for would have to be her homemade puppet potholders. She has made thousands. And likely not one of her children escaped selling them from door-to-door as a youth.

Judy’s greatest source of joy was her family. She was proud of birthing seven children. Although she didn’t get to raise one of them because they were adopted, she always carried that child with her in her heart. Her children are: David Alfred Solomon, Sandy Elizabeth Kilby, Nancy Lynn Sandoval, Susan Gail Ramsey, Robin Jule DeBow, and Leland Cameron DeBow. On the day of the birth of her first grandchild Jerime, she bowled a perfect game. Her grandchildren are: Kevin Solomon, Sheila Ras, Christie Hudson, Debbie Sandoval, Stephen Sandoval, Michael Sandoval, Jerime Ramsey, Jessica Jones, Joshua Ramsey and Isaac DeBow. Grand fur baby Gianna “Boo Boo” DeBow. From those grandchildren came more than 31 greats and great-greats. Judy was delighted each time she penned another grandchild’s name on her list.

Judy was predeceased by her mother, Nellie Mitchell. Her beloved, Auntie “Babs”. Her beloved granddaughter, Debbie Sandoval, and great grandson Kyle Ramsey. Earlier on the day of Judy’s passing, December 19, 2023, her first born son, David A Solomon passed.

Judy lived fearlessly, loved greatly and gave freely to those she knew and those she didn’t.