Judith (Judy) Kay Battin

Judith (Judy) Kay Battin, beloved Mother, Grandmother, sister (and more), passed away in Seattle, Wash., on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the age of 86. She spent her final day surrounded by her four children, a fitting farewell for a woman who cherished family above all else.

Judy grew up as the eldest child (with her siblings, Connie and Joseph) in an adored childhood home in Penawawa, above the Snake River, in the rolling Palouse hills of Eastern Washington. In describing her childhood, Judy shared her joy for extended family gatherings, picking peaches in the nearby orchard on the river, swimming and water skiing on the Snake River, the yearly wheat harvest, and family dinners. The Lutheran faith was an important part of her upbringing and she remained a lifelong, devoted member of the church.

Judy attended high school in Colfax, and graduated from Washington State University in 1960 with a B.S. in Home Economics. She was active in ASWSU, Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, Cougar Boosters, Spurs and Sigma Iota honorary club and was a proud Coug alumnus. After WSU, she was a teacher in Spokane at Freeman High School, until she met the love of her life, Richard (Dick) Battin while skiing in Whitefish, Montana.

Judy married Dick in December 1961 in Endicott, and then settled in the Dash Point area (south of Seattle) where they raised four children. They shared 49 years in a loving marriage until Dick's passing in December of 2010. A devoted Mother and Grandmother, she embodied the philosophy of "family comes first." She had an incredible knack for making a house feel like a home, could cook and bake like no other, had hidden talents like weaving Native American baskets or making beautiful floral arrangements and a keen eye for interior decorating.

Judy's kindness, acceptance, and ability to appreciate life's simple joys touched many lives. She believed in the good of everyone, never held grudges and was a confidant to all ages. Her love, light and spirit were overflowing, most of all towards her family. Though her loving presence will be deeply missed, there is comfort knowing she is now at peace and reunited with her loved ones who have gone before her.

She is survived by her sister Connie, brother Joseph; children, Apryl, Rick, Robyn (Jeff) and Jana (Tim); and grandchildren Ella, Colin and Jonah. A celebration of Judy's life will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Beach Park Dining Hall, located at 22030 Cliff Ave. South, Des Moines, WA 98198. At Judy's request, her final resting place will be Dusty Cemetery, alongside her parents (David and Mildred) and loving husband (Dick), with an interment ceremony at a later date.