Judith Ann Maley

Judy was born in Colfax, Wash., to Adam and Vissie (Basham) Witte. She grew up on the farm outside of Thornton with her parents and brothers Ernie and Dave. As a teenager, she enjoyed riding her black horse, Char. At age 13, she rode Char every day that year to a little knoll behind the house. Judy started driving a grain truck at age 15 for her dad during harvest. There were not that many girls who drove a grain truck in the late 1950s. Judy eventually drove grain trucks for her brothers and son, Bill, throughout northern Whitman County for over 50 years. She was a Thornton farm girl all of her life.

Judy was a great cook and cake decorator; she baked the best chocolate chip, chocolate crinkle and molasses cookies, and birthday cakes. No one in our family could hold a candle to her cooking and cake-decorating skills. She also loved tending to her flowers, particularly peonies; listening to country music; sewing and embroidery; driving her cars, usually a Mercury; playing pinochle with her friends; being on her iPad, whether it was drawing, playing online games or checking out Facebook. Judy enjoyed shopping, especially for her grandkids and she was always up for a good estate or yard sale. Bowling was her favorite sport; for many years, she bowled at the Rose Bowl in Rosalia and later at Wheatland Lanes in Colfax. Judy also bowled in tournaments outside of the Palouse.

After the Gifted Granny's Thrift Shop in Rosalia was established in 1992, Judy was greatly involved in its operations for the next 25 years, including bookkeeping, organizing and washing donated clothes. She also served as the chapter's president for a few years. Judy spent many hours at the "Granny Shop" while meeting new friends and getting reacquainted with old friends.

Judy attended schools in Thornton and Rosalia, she graduated from Rosalia High School in 1961. She married John C. Blank in 1962, they later divorced. She married Raymond W. "Bill" Maley in 1970, he passed away in 1975. Judy was also preceded in death by her parents, brother Ernie Witte, and nephews Adam Witte and Jimmy Witte.

Judy is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Dave and Rema Witte; her daughter and son-in-law, Paula (Blank) and Scott Thaut; her son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Joelle Maley; her son, David Maley; five grandchildren: Mandy (Brian) and her husband Kannen Odden, Jessica Ford, Jayda Ford, Megan Maley and Matthew Maley; two great-grandchildren: Karsyn Odden and Kash Odden; plus many nephews, nieces and cousins.

We appreciate the staff at the Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinics, particularly Dr. Gary Candelaria, for tending to her through the years. Also, we thank the staffs at The Courtyard and Kindred Hospice who cared for Judy in her final days. Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax is caring for our family.

There will be a private burial on a later date at the Thornton Cemetery. On Saturday, August 28, at the farm (11606 Sunset Rd. in Thornton), a celebration of life for Judy will start at 3:00 p.m.

If you want to donate in honor of Judy Maley: Rosalia Volunteer Firefighters Association: P.O. Box 291, Rosalia, WA 99170. Rosalia Gifted Granny's: P.O. Box 103, Rosalia, WA 99170. Thornton Cemetery District 5: 252 Ralph Henning Rd., Thornton, WA 99176.

Judy's oldest granddaughter, Mandy, wrote: "She was stubborn and opinionated and would argue about things to the end...but she loved her grandkids and great-grandkids so much." We will miss you.