Judith Ann Stark

After 84 years of life, Judy Stark passed away on January 17, 2024. Judy was born in Kelso, Washington on April 10, 1939, to Don and Gladys McDonald of Rose Valley, Washington.

Judy attended The Rose Valley School through junior high, then graduated from Kelso High School in 1957. From there she went on to Lower Columbia Community College before graduating with a degree in education from Western Washington College in Bellingham, Washington. This is where she met the love of her life, her husband Jack Stark. They married in 1961 and celebrated 62 years of marriage on August 26, 2023. As Jack was also an educator, they taught together in Friday Harbor, Washington and then in Nooksack Valley. Judy followed Jack to Coquitlam, B.C., where he coached and taught at Simon Fraser University. Judy stayed home to raise their three children: Pat, Carmen and Chris. In 1969 they moved to Shelton, Washington which would be their home for the next five decades. Judy taught at Shelton Preschool when her children were young, then substituted throughout Shelton School District. Judy then taught fifth grade at Mt. View Elementary and ended her career teaching third grade at Evergreen Elementary.

Judy grew up attending the Friends Church of Rose Valley and after they were married Jack and Judy were active in the United Methodist Church. In 2000 they were part of the small group of people who launched Shelton Presbyterian Church. Judy was always active in the Shelton community serving with P.E.O., The Mason General Hospital Guild, and numerous service organizations.

Judy was always there for everyone, especially her family. During Jack's coaching career she missed only one game, home or away, in his 25 years of coaching Shelton high school football, and that was to take the young Stark kids trick or treating on Halloween.

When Jack and Judy entered their retirement years, they became golden celebrities around town. Everyone knew Jack and Judy, whether they were spotted at Walmart, the grocery store, or the several restaurants they frequented around Shelton. They also enjoyed travelling with friends and family in their later years. They enjoyed Hawaii, Scotland, Spain, The Netherlands and Phoenix, among other places around the world.

Judy was a wonderful Grandmother to her five grandchildren and had a knack for providing cute outfits, blankets and wonderful gifts for Josh, Sarah, Benjamin, Mason and Esme.

When Judy began to decline and her memory began to fade, so did her ability to do all the things she used to do so naturally, with one exception, she always loved to be helpful in the kitchen and was a master dishwasher up until there were no more dishes to wash.

Judy passed peacefully in her sleep in Scottsdale, Arizona, into the arms of her Savior. She is survived by her husband Jack, children Pat and Karen, Carmen, Chris and Traci and grandchildren Joshua, Sarah, Benjamin, Mason and Esme.

Donations can be made in her name to: Shelton Presbyterian Church, 1430 E. Shelton Springs Rd, Shelton, 98584 and/or the American Alzheimer's Association.

A memorial service will occur sometime in the Spring of 2024 in Shelton, WA.