Judith Evelyn Aldrich

Obituary Judith Evelyn Aldrich Dearly loved mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt and friend, Judy gracefully left this world on December 21, 2007 after a long and courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Born February 17, 1945 in Worcester, Massachusetts, Judy grew up with her brothers and sisters in nearby Southborough, Massachusetts. After graduating in 1963 from Algonquin Regional High School, she briefly attended Rockford College in Illinois then moved to Boston. There she worked in an optometrist's office fitting contact lenses. In 1967, Judy gave birth to her daughter Kathy, whom she gave up for adoption. Seeking adventure she hitchhiked to Alaska with a friend in 1972. She worked as a film librarian at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, where she also earned a degree in accounting and became a licensed CPA. Judy married Tom Egan in 1974, had daughter Becky in 1975 and moved to Tacoma, Washington in 1980 where she remained the rest of her life. She worked as a CPA tax auditor at Knight Vale and Gregory until her MS forced an early retirement in 1982. Judy soon became an active and vocal member of the National MS Society and TACID (Tacoma Area Center for Individuals with Disabilities). She helped raise funds and MS awareness at the Puyallup Fair and in and around the State of Washington. In 1991 Judy was reunited with her daughter Kathy and they began a loving relationship. Judy was a frequent sight traveling down Pearl Street in her electric cart, zooming in and out of traffic while running errands for the MS Society, shopping or walking her dog. She excelled at art, needle point, crochet, sewing, and gardening. Judy enjoyed swimming, reading, traveling, collecting dolls, beachcombing, and researching genealogy. She was never at a loss for words, and was known for her honesty. Her lively and untiring spirit was an inspiration to all who knew her. She is preceded in death by her father, David Woods Aldrich. She leaves behind her daughters Rebecca Nesbit of Olympia Washington, and Kathryn Farrell of Harvard Massachusetts, grandchildren Nika Nesbit, Liam Nesbit, and Leo Farrell, mother Evelyn Betsey Merrill of Chesterfield New Hampshire, brothers David Aldrich of Tacoma Washington, Charles Aldrich of Lowell, Mass. and Richard Aldrich of Chesterfield New Hampshire, and sisters Betsy Demers of Kent Washington, and Barbara Clews of Middletown New York. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in Judy's name be made to your local chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, or to the Tacoma Lutheran Home, where she resided for almost 10 years. Memorial Services will be held at the Tacoma Lutheran Home 1301 N. Highlands Pkwy, Tacoma, WA 98406 on Thursday, January 10, 2:30pm. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home 253-572-6003.