Judy Ann Root's Obituary
Judy Ann (Stoneburner) Root was born September 27th, 1935 in Toms Brook, Virginia passed peacefully on November 5th, 2021 in Tacoma Washington, with her family by her side.
She attended Toms Brook High School graduating in 1954 and continued her education at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, VA graduating in 1958 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing.
Joining the Army, her nursing career took her to Madigan Army Medical Center on what was Fort Lewis, Washington where she met her husband, settled in Lakewood, WA, and raised a family.
Following school, she joined the Army and practiced nursing at Madigan Army Medical Center at what was Fort Lewis, WA . Following her army service, she had a long and varied career in nursing working in medical surgery, as a ward nurse, in the emergency room, recovery room, teaching, and eventually as a nurse in a doctor’s office.
While working at Madigan she met her husband Robert (Bob). The hospital was located near the shores of American Lake. Bob had a water ski boat and frequently offered rides to resident nurses. Even though she couldn’t swim, Judy accepted and learned how to waterski.
Bob and Judy were married on December 16th, 1961 in Lakewood, WA and were soon joined by their son Joe in 1962 and daughter Sue in 1964. Her new family was raised in the house that she and Bob built on what was Bob’s horse pasture as a kid. Judy continued to live in the house until her death.
Bob and Judy raised their kids skiing on winter weekends and waterskiing in the summer months instilling a great love of the outdoors in both of their children.
She loved gardening and preserving her harvest by canning and freezing. Pretty much everyone in the family is hooked on her raspberry jam.
Judy was always an avid and talented seamstress. After raising her children, she turned to quilting. Over the years she created more than 50 quilts, baby blankets, table runners, wall hangings, and too many pot holders to count. We are all grateful for those quilts now as we can warp ourselves in them and still feel her loving presence.
Judy was preceded in death by her husband Bob in 2018. She is survived by her sisters Marie Vann and Dorothy Grove, her children Joe Root (Diana), Sue Root (Louis), grandchildren Lacey Heinz (Andrew) , Riley Root (Meghan), Davis Root, and great grandchildren Hudson and Evelyn Heinz as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
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