Judy Donohue

Judy Colleen Donohue was born in Yelm Washington on February 19, 1944 to Joseph and Lillian Keller and died on December 14, 2022 after a brief illness.  She was the 9th of 10 children in her large, wild, and extraordinary family and eventually moved to South Tacoma where her family settled.  She and her Keller siblings- Leo, Joe, Pat, Janyce, Steve, Jake, Lola, Dick, and Debbie were larger than life individually, and together the stuff of legends.  The values of this incredible family include fierce loyalty and love, generosity, hard work and harder play, and a standard of cleanliness so strict it is mythical.

Judy left Tacoma to attend college at San Jose State University.   Her travels during and after college took her to faraway places and on adventures she never really told the whole truth about.

She returned to Tacoma and in 1974 married Lawrence Donohue- he was just out of a stint as a Jesuit Priest, and she had met her match.   They made their  home in Midland, Washington; daughter Ruth was born and the family of three grew gardens, raised animals, and threw pretty good parties.

Her long career as a commercial underwriter for Mutual of Enumclaw insurance helped hone her sharp sense of calculated risk, which she applied in life and at work.

Judy always drove a sports car, usually too fast, and never passed up a chance for adventure.  She took pride in her fierce independence, charting her own path, and in loving her family and friends.  If she made you a martini- look out!  This was love and mischief in one glass, but she would never make you drink it alone.

She had a keen sensitivity and was quick to show kindness and compassion.  She cared deeply about her family- her siblings, her many nieces and nephews, and her friends, especially the Derrow, Foster, Washington families who cared for her like a sister.  She was loved fiercely in return and we will miss her terribly.

To honor Judy, a recitation of the rosary will be held Friday December 16, 2022, 7:00 PM at Gaffney Funeral Home 1002 S. Yakima Ave. Tacoma, WA 98405.  A graveside service will be held Saturday December 17, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Calvary Cemetery.  A memorial Mass and reception will take place in February, 2023.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to L’Arche Tahoma Hope, Bellarmine Preparatory School, or the Tacoma Catholic Worker.