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Judith Lee Jeffery
May 22, 1940 - January 8, 2025
Tribute
Our dear Judy paddled her way to the finish line at the Cowichan Hospice House in Duncan on January 8th, 2025. She was partner to Karen, mother to Erin, stepmother to Sean (Gabi), Christopher (Alicia), David (Amy), grandmother to Maxton, step grandmother to Isla, Oliver, Thomas, and Emily, sister to Tanis and a friend to many.
Judy lived her life with integrity, fierceness and above all humour.
She spent many years as a mentor and educator in the Cowichan Valley. Her students will remember how she brought her light and humour into the classroom with dramatic presentations wearing unique hats and costumes (often in the form of slugs). Her goal was to inspire and animate the often-dry genre of English literature. She took the words and her student’s comprehension of Shakespeare to a whole new level!
As the Drummer (or Caller) for the Duncan Breast Cancer Dragon Boat team, The Cowichan Valley Dragon Divas, she was the heartbeat and voice of the team. The loudest Caller on the water during competitions, she would also lead the Divas with a boisterous chant (often composed by herself with “Doggerel poetry”) down to the dock to file into the boat. Many of the friendships she developed during her times with the Divas remained with her in her final years.
Time spent in nature was paramount in Judy’s life. Hiking forests and mountains and kayaking the waters around islands along the BC Coast, often with her friend Sue, filled her soul. She was also a devoted gardener and loved getting her hands into the dirt at home. From rhododendrons to vegetables for the table, Judy grew everything possible to create beauty and nourishment for the home. As a baby, her daughter Erin, would often spend her nap time nestled in the garden while she and her husband, Terry, toiled in the garden. In the last 28 years of Judys life, Karen will attest to the fact that everything she knows about gardening, she learned from her during this time.
Having been a Phys Ed teacher, Judy religiously devoted her physical health to the gym and the friendships she developed sweating alongside them meant the world to her.
Judy was a devout reader, a writer of what she termed as her “Doggerel Poetry, an advocate for the arts and possessed a strong commitment to friends, family, and her furry friends.
She will be deeply missed but certainly never forgotten. After all, the resounding beat of her drum and call of “PADDLE HARD!” While her utterances of “watch your grammar!” Will surely ring loudly in the ears of those who loved her for many years to come.
A Celebration of Life for Judy will be held sometime in the spring when the rhododendrons in the garden are in full bloom with Karen making sure Judy would approve.
Special thanks go to Anna, Dr. Maggie Watt, and the Home Care Aids of Island Health, and Cowichan Hospice House nurses who cared for Judy in her final week of life.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of the following organizations Judy supported: The David Suzuki Foundation, Doctors Without Borders, and Nourish Cowichan.
Or…simply plant something in your garden in honour of her!
Condolences
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From: H.W. Wallace Cremation & Burial Centre
H.W. Wallace Cremation & Burial Centre staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: Beth Crawford
Relation: Friend
I have known Judy for many years – Terry was a co-worker with my father Roy at Mt Prevost school. Many years ago, when I returned to school to upgrade before beginning university classes, Judy was my English teacher at Malaspina College. That class with her was life changing for me – and I am eternally grateful not only for her guidance and friendship, but also the confidence she instilled in me as a single mother trying to make a better life for her son.
Having recently lost my father – I have a new understanding and appreciation of the importance of taking the time to honour those that have passed by sharing with loved ones the impact their lives have had on ours. It has been a gift, and healing to me to hear stories of the affect that my Dad had on many lives. And so – to all who knew and loved Judy – find comfort in the knowledge that she did many beautiful things with her time on earth – I am so very blessed and honoured to have had her influence mine.
From: Sharon Gall
Relation: Gym friend
I haven’t seen Judy for years. Loved her running into her. She always had a smile. She was a big part of the first fitness craze in Cobble Hill.
RIP LeeAnns mom 💕
From: LeeAnn
Relation: She attended my AEROBIC CLASSES
I knew Judy when she attended Cobble Hill Fitness in the 80s always a sense of humour. Then she was my English teacher at college. Always had a funny comment.
From: Shirley Imada
Relation: Fellow paddler and neighbour
So sorry to hear of Judy’s passing. I always enjoyed her sense of humour, nothing boring about this girl. I particularly enjoyed paddling with her team The Divas. They were so much fun.
I recall sharing a hotel with the Divas in Richmond during the Senior Games. One morning at breakfast Judy walked in looked around and gave her call out to the team which gave the resounding shout back of HEY HEY HEY or something the like. It was the cause of laughter for the nonpaddling folk who jumped at the unexpected noise.
Envy the hereafter, there’s going to be a lot of fun.
From: Bridget Bruneski
Relation: former colleague
Judy had a great influence on my teaching. Through her larger-than-life presence, she inspired students as well as fellow-teachers. Judy taught me to loosen up! Through her famous slug lessons, she inspired many students who were fortunate to be in her class. The sounds of fun and laughter coming from her classroom resulted in ideas and writing that were strong evidence of her excellence as an educator. Farewell, Judy, and thank you!
From: Carol Henderson
Relation: Fellow paddler
I was sadden to hear of Judith’s passing. Where do I start with a tribute to Judith. Her sense of humor, purpose and boundless energy will be her memory for me. Judith’s sat at the front of the Cowichan Valley Dragon Divas DragonBoat and demanded a sense of purpose from her team mates with her strong will and sense of humor. She made us all laugh and have fun in the boat. Judith was a strong woman and let the 20 other women in the boat know that we were strong as well.
PADDLES UP!!!!
My thoughts go out to Karen, Erin and other family members.
From: Maureen B
Relation: Coworker
Oh Judy … you were a beacon of light and fun! I met you working at Malaspina and saw and heard how loved you were as a teacher. I enjoyed your antics and free spirit!
You lived well and large.
Service Schedule
Private service arrangements have been made.
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