STEPHENS, Judy K

Wickenburg Sun (Wickenburg, Arizona) Wednesday, April 27, 2022, p. A-5 Judy K Stephens went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after living with stage four metastatic pancreatic cancer for five years. She was 78 years old. Judy was born in Wisconsin where she lived with her family until 1957. That year, the family moved to Morristown, Arizona where her parents Eldred and Kathleen Strebe owned and operated Little Arrows Trading Post. Judy graduated from Wickenburg high school in 1961. She made two lifelong friends, Sheila Gates Fletcher and Jo Yeik. She graduated from the University of Arizona in 1965. Her freshman year, while living at Yavapai hall, she met her roommate from Memphis, Tennessee, Astrid Karen Norvelle. They became good friends and remained close until Judy's death. Judy was employed by the Maricopa County public fiduciary as a guardian administrator for over 26 years. She retired in 2006. She spent the next five years assisting her parents, Kathleen (Babe) and Eldred (Link) Strebe, to remain independent in their home in Wickenburg. Judy is survived by her sons Damon (Kelly) and Brandon Dean (Jodi); her brother, Kurt (Mary) Strebe; her nephew, Andrew (Kathleen) Strebe; her niece, Stephanie (Jc) Berlan; her grand children, Cody Geiser, Meagan Anthony Rincon; her two great granddaughters, Lacey Bell and Elizabeth Kay Ann; and her great grandson, Anthony Dean Rincon. Judy loved to dance. She took up square dancing later in life and found so much joy and great friends there; the greatest of all is Cherie Hatzopoulos. Judy was a long time member of the 12-step community. She began in Overeater's Anonymous 1973 Al-Anon 1982 and Alcoholics Anonymous 1985. Judy's passion in life was the love of her family and the time spent together was priceless. She also loved to play cards. During all of her chemotherapy sessions, she and her sons, sister-in-law Mary, companion Stanley, and cousin Diane had a pinocle party with snacks. Judy found incredible joy in living each day to the fullest, always praising God for all her blessings. Judy was a member of Hope Chapel, where a celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 7 at 4 p.m. (17417 N. 63rd Ave., Glendale, Arizona 85308).