Judith Ann Carpenter, 71

Judith Ann Carpenter, 71, passed away at home, Sunday, July 1, 2007, after a six-week battle with pancreatic cancer. She was cared for by the medical community, hospice and family members.

Judy was born Feb. 10, 1936, in Hillsboro, Ore. She was the daughter of Norman and Joyce Johnson. She resided, in her early years, at Gales Creek and Forest Grove, Ore., where she lived with James and Ruth Simonton and Clarence and Ruth Harmon.

Her family was disrupted by the illness of her mother and the divorce of her parents. During her fifth and sixth grade years the family moved to southern California where she attended school and eventually graduated from Redlands High School.

During her sophomore year she met John Carpenter at a Baptist Youth Group outing at the Forest Home Conference Center. They had many common interests and began dating. They were married, on June 23, four years later at the First Baptist Church of Yucaipa, Calif., where they attended.

John has stated that the greatest gift Judy ever gave him, through the years, was the influence that brought him to salvation and his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Judy is survived by her husband of 51 years, John Carpenter, of Columbia Falls. Judy left four children, son, Brian J. Carpenter and his wife, Carol, with their child, Kristen, who make their home in Corning, Calif.; a daughter, Dee Ann Loomis, of Missoula, son, Bruce J. Carpenter, and his wife, Amy, who reside in Columbia Falls; and Heather Durham who lives in Albuquerque, N.M. Judy is also survived by a number of grandchildren, Melina Peters of Missoula, Brad and Megan Carpenter of Corning, Kinsey and Rachael Durham in Albuquerque, Kristen of Corning, Colton and Kaleb Mohn of Columbia Falls, and Ashley Hyde of Whitefish. Judy had three great-grandchildren, from Melina Peters of Missoula, Molly Ann, Maci and Vincent. Judy had one brother, Neil C. Johnson, of Allan, Texas, and eleven half brothers and sisters who reside at various locations around the United States.

Family was very important to Judy and she loved to visit and care for her grandchildren who brought her great joy in her later years.

Life-long activities she enjoyed were sewing, knitting, needlepoint, and cross-stitch and other crafts. During her last 10 years she became somewhat of an expert of family genealogy. She and her husband made many trips to the Mormon Genealogy Library in Salt Lake City as well as personal visits for data collection as far east as Rhode Island and on to Texas, Kentucky, Michigan, Wisconsin, New York and most of the Western States. Judy compiled four books of family history and genealogy data.

Judy loved office work and was employed at various times with the Whitefish Schools, Whitefish Credit Union and other businesses in Montana, Oregon, Minnesota and California. She also edited, typed and produced four doctoral dissertations for graduate students at the University of Montana in Missoula.

John and Judy made six summer-long trips to Alaska through Canada for sport fishing and visiting friends in Alaska while camping along the way.

In 1964, Judy graduated with high honors and a bachelor's degree in home economics from the University of Montana.

Judy Carpenter was a resident of Whitefish for 41 years and made many friends in the community. She and her husband purchased, remodeled and rented 10 different homes in Whitefish during their years there. In 2006, they moved south of Columbia Falls to a five-acre plot with a new home in the shadow of Columbia Mountain. This was her refuge from the anxiety of the outside world.

Judy and her family want to express deep gratitude to God, her several doctors, the nurses, the hospice people and the many friends who provided care for her during her illness. Without this blessing her illness would have been an unbearable.

Cremation has taken place and her ashes will be scattered at her favorite lake where she often escaped to relax.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 14, at the United Methodist Church of Columbia Falls. The church is located at 117 Second Street West.

Judy suggests that any memorials given in her honor be sent to Home Options Hospice Care, Attn: Tammy Clark, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell MT 59901.