Obituary of Judith Elizabeth Vanderkooy

To view the livestream of the service, please click here.

Judy passed away peacefully on Thursday March 31 while attended by family at the Waterloo Region Hospice.  She had suffered a severe brain bleed a week earlier.

She is survived by her husband and life partner John, son Geoffrey (Karen), grandchildren Theo, Miranda and Emily, and her sister Suzanne Whitehead. Predeceased by her parents Elsie and Arthur.

Judy was born in 1943 in Hamilton Ontario. After graduating from high school, she became a teacher and during this time was introduced to John through a mutual friend. They married in 1965.  In 1967 they moved to England for 2 years, during which time their son Geoffrey was born.  An offer from the University of Waterloo saw the three of them settle in the area as John began his career as a professor in the Physics department. Judy held up the home front and dabbled in various endeavours of her own during this time.  She received her Master of Theological studies and spent time as a campus chaplain and pastoral assistant in the United Church.  She volunteered in convict rehabilitation and various other charities for years.  She and John travelled widely, and spent sabbaticals living in places like the US, England, Sweden and Denmark.  After retirement, they enjoyed winters in England for another 12 years.  She loved to spend her time in various artistic endeavours, including playing violin and recorder, singing in a variety of choirs, painting, embroidery, gardening, and even wrote 2 plays.  She loved to make things look beautiful.  She also loved a good celebration and decorating the house for the occasion, always welcoming her guests with open arms and endless amounts of food. 

Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Thursday, April 7 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm.  A service of celebration will take place in-person and shared online in the Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, April 8 at 1:30 pm.  A reception follows, and then interment at Williamsburg cemetery in Kitchener. The family respectfully requests that you wear a mask to attend the visitation or funeral service.

Condolences for the family and donations to Hospice Waterloo Region may be arranged by contacting the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.