As the youngest of four children Judy looked up to older brothers Stanton and Harold and sister Martha.
Judy’s brothers spoiled her and would let her tag along with them wherever they went, even to their Boy Scout meetings. She was truly a tomboy. Stanton even built a kayak just her size as they lived on the banks of the Okanogan River. She would often tell of playing on the river and the little island located close to the back of the house. Their mother would always know where they were playing among the stacks of lumber because their dog would be on top of the lumber stacks right there with them.
Judy loved music. She sang in the church choir, taught herself to play the piano and played the trumpet in the school band. She would brag about being the 1st chair trumpet player and enjoyed being in the marching band for parades and football games. She and one of her friends would often be asked to play for burial services at the cemetery. She was active in the youth group at her church and was instrumental in her mother becoming a Christian by inviting her to church. She graduated from Oroville High School in 1951.
Judy met Donald Duran and they were married on July 4, 1954. They lived in Burien, WA, where they raised four boys Bruce, Gary, Dan and Thomas. Judy was a stay at home mom and made sure everyone learned to pull their own weight. There would be no Saturday morning cartoons or playing outside with friends until all chores were completed. She also served as the “Den Mother” when the boys were in Cub Scouts.
Besides raising four boys, Judy was always making sure her elderly neighbors were taken care of by checking on them regularly and helping them with any needs they had. She was an active member of the Rebekah Lodge, an auxiliary of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, since her initiation in 1951. She held numerous offices in the lodge including “Noble Grand” multiple times. Again, she made sure to care for the elderly members of the lodge. She also sang with a women’s choral group, The Choralettes and enjoyed playing games. She was part of a group that played Pinochle a couple times a month and another group that played Bunco. She was not going to let any grass grow under her feet.
In April of 1969, Judy’s husband of almost 15 years passed away as a result of cancer. It was a tough time, but she met the challenge head on and did whatever necessary to provide for her boys and make life for them as normal as possible. She worked part-time delivering prescriptions for Lee’s Pharmacy to help make ends meet.
Later that year, she met John Sansom, aka “Jack”, and they were married on March 21, 1970. Jack was a loving and caring husband and a good dad to the boys. He was truly a God send for Judy as she was able to be the stay at home mom once again taking care of her sons the way she wanted.
Jack and Judy lived a good life together and after all the boys were on their own, they traveled and spent time with their friends. After Jack’s retirement they bought a newly constructed house in Auburn, WA and spent much of their time making it a home to enjoy for the rest of their lives.
On December 4, 2013, Judy became a widow for the second time. Cancer had taken another loved one from her. She herself had been dealing with dementia for several years by this time, but still enjoyed life as much as possible. She and her faithful companion, “Teddy Dog”, would take a walk around the neighborhood every day (unless it was raining). She also did not want to miss her Pinochle group once a month. During the Spring and Summer months she enjoyed seeing the colorful blooms on the trees, shrubs and flowers and was always in awe of the beauty of Mt. Rainier when the skies were clear. In the Fall, she would always mention how beautiful the leaves on the trees were as they changed color.
In April 2017, Judy moved from her home in Auburn to an Assisted Living Community in Federal Way, WA. She missed Teddy, but being the sociable person she was, she had no problem making acquaintances in her new community. She also enjoyed attending church whenever possible. This gave her another opportunity to visit with others. Of course, even though she enjoyed the people and preaching, she liked the singing best.
Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Judy is predeceased by her bothers Stanton and Harold Thompson; her husband of almost 44 years, John A. Sansom; son Gary Duran; and granddaughter Jennifer Duran. She is survived by her sister Martha Batterman of Auburn, CA; sons Bruce Duran (Janet) of Des Moines, WA, Dan Duran (Christy) of Everett, WA, Thomas Duran (Tina) of Everett, WA; 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
For family and friends who are unable to attend the funeral service, the funeral service will be live streamed at the following link.
https://www.oneroomstreaming.com/view/authorise.php?k=160341678782403
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