WILTON, Judy
April 30, 1945 – May 15, 2021
Judy Wilton (nee Taylor) thought she wanted to be a nurse when she grew up. Instead, she became a wife and a mother of three and would not have changed it for the world. She counted her children as her life’s biggest achievements and they were by her side in her final hours.
Judy succumbed to terminal cancer on May 15, 2021. She was 76.
Born on April 30, 1945, in Eastend, Saskatchewan, Judy grew up with her two brothers on the family homestead. The family lived in a granary transformed into a farmhouse that had no running water and was heated by a coal furnace. As the oldest child, Judy fondly recalled the privilege of bathing first in the round tub placed in front of the stove in the kitchen. She spent many childhood hours making mud pies and decorating a playhouse her uncle helped build from an old chicken coop.
From Grades 1-9, Judy attended school in a one-room country school. She rode her bike or her horse five miles each way. Her dad drove her in the car or the tractor in the harsh Prairie winter, depending on the weather. She graduated from Eastend High school, boarding with a town family for a time before moving in with her Grandma Weighill, who she adored.
After meeting the love of her life Gary at a wedding, the young couple soon married and moved to Alberta, where they settled in Bragg Creek and together raised their three children. Family meant everything to Judy, and outside of her two sons and daughter, Judy’s pride and joy were her grandchildren.
In her later years, Judy returned to farm life. Moving to a small acreage north of Cochrane, she and Gary raised cows for a time and eventually built their dream home and a hub for social activities. Judy and Gary loved a good party filled with fun and laughter.
After Gary’s retirement, the couple wintered south in Yuma, AZ, adventuring with their life-long friends and meeting countless new ones along the way. Judy enjoyed sharing her travel stories and recounted the many colourful characters they encountered. She was a great storyteller and especially loved sharing the tale of meeting ‘Bare Ass Willie,’ an old bookstore owner who tended his shop in nothing but a cowboy hat and thong. Those years were among the happiest of her life.
Although she considered cleaning her biggest talent, Judy was gifted at many hobbies, including painting, playing piano by ear, crocheting, and baking. She was a devoted mother and grandmother and excelled at being a homemaker – a vital role sometimes taken for granted.
As Judy reflected on her life, she shared no regrets.
To the end, she demonstrated strength and poise, reflective of her stoic nature and bootstrap farm roots.
“Remember me as happy and having fun. Don’t cry for me. Remember our fun times and laugh lots.”
Judy is survived by her children and their families: Darron, Helene, Sarah and Ellie; Brent, Toni, Holly and Liam; Suzanne, Sean, Sam and Sydney; along with her brothers and their families. She was predeceased by her husband Gary, and her parents, Norm and Pat Taylor.
The family extends a special thanks to the kindness of Dr. Punch and the palliative team who cared for Judy in her final days, especially Pauline and Dr. Ho, and other dedicated front-line health care staff including EMS.
A service will not be held at this time due to COVID-19 restrictions and the family invites you to view this video tribute of Judy’s life. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to STARS Air Ambulance www.stars.ca
Arrangements entrusted to Florence (Flo) Simpson, Funeral Director
Cochrane Country Funeral Home – Ph: 403-932-1039
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During my time in Eastend (1971-75) I got to know almost everyone in the Taylor and Wilton families and several became close friends. Originally met Gary and Judy when they lived in Bragg Creek through Gary’s brother Clifford. Over the years since my wife and I spent many enjoyable hours visiting in Sask, Alta, and Yuma. Judy and Gary are missed here and my sincere condolences to their family are heartfeltly sent for their loss of Judy.
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful lady!
Loved the pictures and loved the choice in music!
Love you all the Wilton’s and you are in my thoughts❤️❤️❤️
Our deepesy sympathies to all…Judy always made a person feel loved..❤
Fantastic choice of music – so enjoyed the show smiled with only slight tears throughout. Mostly love and admiration and appreciation for knowing her. My favourite picture she as sitting in ground with white pants holding a baby – not sure which one of her 3 beautiful children but it’s a good shot that I’m sure is cherished. Love that lady always happy and ready for a good time except when she was shaken with worry if her love Gary or her boys were late to check in from a cross country motorcycle race – then she was a wreck. I find peace she has joined her love again in peace and happiness. I will fondly remember you Judy – ❤️ Crystal
Sincere condolences to Darren, Brent, Suzanne and families. You were Judy’s world. She was a special friend and will be missed.
A wonderful tribute to a wonderful lady! I never got to know my dear cousin well but all interactions with her and Gary were outstanding. A kind and giving couple who I know will be missed by many. Judy was one of my mom’s favourite nieces and growing up I always heard many stories of her and felt the love my mom had for her shine through. Therefore I grew up knowing she was very special because my mom cared so much for her. May your memories help you through these hard times Suzanne, Darron, Brent, Dale, Grant and families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Darron. Brent and Suzanne what a beautiful tribute to your loving mother. With tear in my eye and lump in my throat we say goodbye to your mother and my sister. Judy reminded me so much of my mom Pat I guess because they were so similar in poise and stature. Very loving of all with a great sense of humour.Easy to talk to and be such a great friend. Loved my sister dearly and will miss her forever as you will and do now. Rest in peace my dear sister till we meet again.
Condolences to the family. I remember Judy as a perky, cute teenager. Leaving Eastend in 1972, it’s nearly a half century since I’ve had contact with the family, but I remember everyone fondly…The tribute written is a lovely way to remember Judy.
Oh my dear cousin, we would both be crying together over such a beautiful tribute to you, I enjoyed out last visit and the laughs we had, Every time I wrap myself in my quilt you will be there. Darron, Brent and Suzanne and families, I extend my love and sympathy to you all. I know you will miss her.
Love Karen
I guess it’s been 56 yrs.weve known Judy & Gary. They lived across the street from us in Calgary. We were friends all that time. We will remember her for her kindness,& always caring how we were. She loved her kids more than life itself. We had many great times,with lots of laughs that will never be forgotten. We send our love to her family. We also send our love to Grant & Linda & family ,Dale & Linda &family. Rest in peace our dear friend.
We will all miss your infectious laugh; that would light up a darken room in a millisecond.
Our sincerest condolonces go out to Darron, Brent, Suzanne, Dale, Grant and their families.
Love, Cliff & Bud
So sorry for your loss Suzanne, thinking of you. Heather, Matt, and Blake
What a beautiful tribute to my dear friend Judy. Our deepest condolences to all of you. She was such a good, honest fun loving person & I will miss her dearly. We were very close friends for 50 years & had many great times together. Lots of laughs, drinks, luncheons as well as tears. Our thoughts & prayers are with all of the family. May she rest in peace. Love Joan & Ken
Sincere sympathy to Darren, Brent, Suzanne and families. Your Mom was a good friend and especially the times we spent at the hockey rink together.
To All the family
Sorry to hear of your Moms passing. We had so many good times — Hockey; Girl Guides and of course Community Activies. We have all lost a special person.
Deepest sympathy to all of you,
Marjory Shewchuk
Darron,Brent,Suzanne
My deepest sympathy to all of you in the loss of your Mum, What a special lady she was.
I spent lots of time visiting with her at minor hockey games as well as with the Ladies Auxillary in Bragg Creek.
My sincerest condolences Darron, Brent, Suzanne, Grant, Dale and Families,
I had recently reconnected with Judy via facebook. She told me at that time that she was so thankful for her family’s support as she was able to be in her own home. I had not realized she was so ill. I also once saw and spoke briefly to Judy as I was standing in line to return to Yuma from Los Algodones,and she was heading to get into line. I had no trouble recognizing her, although I had not seen her for years, as she did not change. Your video and obituary were beautiful and very fitting tributes to your Mom. As I watched the video I felt a sincere honoring of her life well-lived. May you find comfort in the many happy memories of the good times you enjoyed together. Pride yourselves in knowing that you enriched Judy’s life as much as she enriched yours.
I was sad when I heard of Judy’s passing. My husband and I both came from Shaunavon and Gary and Judy Eastend, so we had good visits talking about people and happenings in that area. Interesting too, that we lived just a few miles apart these last 18 years. My last visit with Judy was over a glass of wine, a memory that I will cherish. My sympathy to her family and friends,
Gail
What a beautiful tribute. Our thoughts are with you all.
What a wonderful tribute to such a wonderful and kind women. Judy’s kind heart will never be forgotten. We will cherish the memories of our time together.
We extend our love and sympathy to Darron, Brent, Suzanne and their families and to brothers Dale and Grant and their families.
Judy was a favored niece, playmate growing up and a lifelong friend. She will be sadly missed by all. You are in our hearts now and in the days to come as you go into the future without your dear Mom. Fondly remembered and loved by Uncle Gary & Aunt Bev (Taylor)