Judy Ann Friedrichs, 76, passed away March 27, 2020. Judy was born March 17, 1944, in Ogden, Utah, the daughter of Walter W. Wheeler and Ardell Baugh Wheeler and later stepdaughter of Emmett E. Kirk. In 1949 her family moved to Tucson, Arizona, in hopes that clean air would alleviate Judy’s severe asthmatic symptoms. The Tucson climate helped, but it wasn’t until she was 16 that she was diagnosed with a heart condition which required new, cutting-edge surgery at the time to correct the problem. After surgery, she became a healthy beautiful young woman.
Judy remained in Tucson the rest of her life. She graduated from Catalina High School, worked in Yellowstone Park as a cabin maid for a summer, went to secretarial school, worked for the Bureau of Mines, and met and married Larry Friedrichs. They had two daughters and one son. Years later they divorced. Judy received the ranch house and outer buildings on several acres in east Tucson. The ranch became her beloved home for the rest of her life. She became a “country girl” from Arizona. She continued to raise and board horses and produce prized chickens. She also cared for the numerous cats she rescued and volunteered to bottle feed newborn kittens for the Humane Society of Southern Arizona until they could be adopted.
Judy also worked outside her home, using her many talents to work in a variety of employment capacities. She was Safeway’s Assistant Manager in the deli; attended school and became a CNA for many years; served as an inspector for State and Federal elections; was employed by The Pima Recorder’s Office to help in election years. Later in life, being the resourceful person that she was, Judy began a business renting out rooms in her house, which was at times challenging but at the same time rewarding. She ran the business successfully because she was a strong-willed, determined, compassionate individual and a talented peacemaker.
Attending church was very important to Judy. She believed strongly in the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints which gave her comfort. She enjoyed Relief Society and answered her many callings, including librarian, volunteering to work at the Food Bank and singing in the church choir.
She also had many other interests and hobbies. Every year her father would drive his three children Pam, Linda and Judy to see scenic sites in Utah and Arizona on their journey to visit their enjoyable step-family and other relatives in Ogden. Judy caught the travel bug and as an adult took every opportunity to see more of the USA. Cruises became her favorite way to see the world but travel to many Asian countries to visit her sister Pam almost topped the list. Her favorite trip, by far, however, was on a paddlewheel boat from Pittsburgh to New Orleans on the Mississippi River which featured costume contests, decorating doors, dancing, touring and great food.
Her favorite past time was playing cards. Her family fondly named her a “ruthless” card shark. She was also very competitive playing board games, Yatzhee being a favorite. She pieced together difficult jigsaw puzzles; hand quilted; grew roses; searched for ghosts in haunted hotels and towns, particularly in Tombstone, Bisbee and Salem; rode her horses and enjoyed her cats. She also liked to try new recipes and watch her favorite TV shows, including “Monk”.
Above all, Judy loved her family and enjoyed their visits. She especially relished the extended family gatherings at Christmas. Her home was available for recreational activities for many and could also be a place of refuge for family members. She enjoyed their company.
Judy had a sense of humor, laughed easily and heartily and lit up the room with her delightful face, expressive eyes and excited gestures. Especially unique was her “little girl” giggle, which was contagious. Everybody loved Judy. She will be sorely missed.
Judy is survived by her three children, Kellie and her husband Chris, Westie, and Adam and his wife Jen; her stepsisters, Mary and her husband Howard, and Lonna and her husband Dick; three stepbrothers, Jerry, Russ and his wife Rita, and Ray and his wife Loretta; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and two sisters Pam and Linda and their spouses Jim and Jim.
A date for a Celebration of Life for Judy will follow once the COVD-19 virus restrictions have been rescinded.
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