Judith Lynn Fernandes,

Judith Lynn Fernandes, 51, passed away Oct. 8, 2004, at Colonial Manor in Whitefish due to liver disease.

She was born March 30, 1953, in Oakland, Calif., and raised in Santa Rosa, Calif., where she attended Piner High School.

From 1977 until 1988, she worked at Becton Dickenson in Sandy, Utah. In the summer of 1988 she relocated to the Flathead Valley, primarily in Coram. Shortly thereafter, Judith was diagnosed with primary biliary cirrhosis and was then permanently disabled.

In 1990, Judith married Gregory Fernandes in Kalispell

Judith loved crafts, from ceramics to candle making. She loved cooking and animals of any sort. She enjoyed anything that involved friendship and companionship.

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Alice J. Pitman and Margie A. Leobold; her father, Howard A. Pitman; and her mother, Betty P. Pitman.

Judith is survived by her husband of 13 years, Gregory L. Fernandes, of Coleman, Alberta; her children, Sheila Pitman of Columbia Falls, Melinda Romero of Salt Lake City, and Mathew Fernandes of Coleman; her sisters, Linda Smithers of Kansas, and Lois Christensen of Alaska; and her brother, Mike Pitman of Great Falls. She was also expecting her first grandchild, due Jan. 16.

Cremation has taken place.

A memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15, at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.