Judith Marie Ellis

In Loving Memory of Judith Marie Ellis Obituary for Judith (Judy) Marie Ellis Judy Ellis, 80, resident of Brighton, Colorado, passed away at Lutheran Medical Center on August 24, 2021 due to complications from a stroke. Judy was born in Litchfield, Illinois to Joseph and Anna Yancik, December 8, 1940. She grew up in the small southern Illinois town of Mount Olive with her 5 brothers and 5 sisters where she attended the Holy Trinity Primary School and the Mount Olive High School. Judy then attended Eastern Illinois University and graduated with a teaching degree. Following graduation, Judy was teaching high school home economics in Newton, Illinois, when she met her future husband, Joe Ellis, on a blind date. Judy and Joe were married on December 26, 1964 in Mount Olive, Illinois and spent 57 wonderful years together. Judy welcomed her first child, Dale, in 1965 and he was followed shortly with a second child, Anna, in 1967. Judy choose to stay at home to care for her family and raise her children when they were young. She supported Joe†™s career in wildlife management with the State of Oklahoma and then the federal government with moves to Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and finally Colorado where they settled permanently. Judy returned to working when her children were older, first as a teller and then as a branch supervisor with the Credit Union of Denver. When Joe retired in 1991, Judy decided to retire with him. Following retirement, Judy and Joe pursued their dream of returning to country living with a purchase of 10 acres in Brighton. They built their dream home on the property and planted an orchard as well as a large vegetable garden every year. Judy also loved birds and put many bird feeders out around her home. Besides gardening, Judy loved to bake. Her cookies, pies, cranberry bread and banana bread were special family favorites. Judy also loved to sew and quilt and did so throughout her life. She even provided her talents to sew her daughter†™s prom dress and the bridesmaid dresses for her son†™s wedding. She produced many beautiful quilts that her family treasures. In support of the art that she loved, Judy volunteered for many years at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden, CO. Judy was also very active in the National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE). She spent many hours over the years visiting federal facilities and fairs to recruit members for NARFE and educate federal employees about their benefits. Throughout her retirement, Judy continuously held varying chapter officer positions and even ran her local chapter as president for many years. Judy was blessed with the ability to make people feel special and loved to fuss over her family, especially her grandchildren. Christmas was one of her favorite times and she made sure to spend it gathered with her children and grandchildren, always with Christmas music playing in the background. The joy and love that Judy spread to all in her life will be greatly missed. Judy is survived by her husband, Joe Ellis, her children, Dale Ellis and Anna Dimas, and her grandchildren, Ben Ellis, Brianne Ellis, and Sam Dimas. She is also survived by her brother, Jim Yancik, and her sister, Linda Erdelyi, and many nieces and nephews. Viewing and visitation will be Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at 2:00 pm followed by a funeral service at 3:00 pm at Aspen Mortuaries, 6370 Union St, Arvada, CO. Contributions in her memory to Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, 200 Violet Street, Unit 140, Golden CO 80401 or through the following link: Donate (paypal.com)