Judith Joan Rich

She grew up #6 of 8 children with four brothers and three sisters. At three Judy traveled by train to Idaho where she grew up on a small farm just outside of New Plymouth. She was a true red head, with a lot of spunk and sass that stayed with her. She enjoyed driving the tractor, caring for the animals, canning, and quilting with her mom. Entering her pies in the Payette County Fair was a always a highlight. Following her dad (WWII) and big brother’s footsteps, she proudly joined the Women’s Army Corp in 1964 and stationed at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania working as a medic.

In 1965 she married Phil Rich and they welcomed 5 children, Teresa, Philip, Kristine, Shelly and Apryl in their 15 year marriage. In 1974 Judy earned her nursing license from TVCC and began her career as a LPN working in nursing homes throughout the Treasure Valley. In 1989, she moved to Bonner’s Ferry working at Boundary County Community Hospital until she retired in 1997.

In 1998, she moved to Coeur d’ Alene, and helped raise her grandchildren. She was active in their lives by babysitting, attending bowling matches, sports games and 4H activities. Many of her grandchildren’s friends call her Grandma. She enjoyed serving others by cooking and baking from scratch and wanting to feed everyone. Every child would have their first taste of coffee at her table with plenty of sugar or Irish Cream creamer. She would sew, crochet and knit items for those around her. She had many hobbies: fishing, Bingo, reading, coloring, puzzles, learning Cantonese, Calligraphy, watching Star Trek and Westerns.

Family was always priority and loved visiting her big brother, Jack, in Arkansas and daughter, Teresa, in Texas. She fulfilled a dream when she tandem skydived in Texas.

In 2018, Judy moved into Living Springs for her last days. The family is forever grateful for the care, friendship and love she received from Janea and her staff as well as from the V.A. home based staff.

Judy is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Helen Scalph; brothers, Jack, Jim and Paul; sisters; LeNora, Marilyn and Carolyn; daughter, Kristine.

She leaves behind her brother, Lynn; daughters, Teresa, Shelly, Apryl (Jason); son, Philip (Lyka); grandchildren, Ryan, Stephanie, Zachary (Alex), James, Michaela (Eric), Dylan, Misty (Tony), Daniel, Gavin, Ethan, Judy, Hinata, Shaika, 8 great granddaughters and 2 great grandsons.