- Judythe Sarah Williams was born in Forest Grove, Oregon on September 9th, 1927 to Lawrence and Ernestine Williams. She was the youngest of six children. Judy developed her love of animals, the outdoors and the water from her parents and siblings during a wonderful childhood spent mostly in the Yamhill Valley of Oregon. In 1945 she was introduced by her brother Ernest to Joseph (Jim) C. Pratt on a visit home from Navy duty. They quickly fell in love and were married in Vancouver, Washington on February 9, 1946. After 64 years of marriage, she passed away Saturday April 3rd, 2010 at their home in Selah, Washington at the age of 82 after a courageous fight with cancer.
Preceded in death by her parents and her oldest sister, Helen Welch (Don - deceased), survivors include her husband, Joseph; two sons, Steven (Lynn) of Portland, Ore. and Matthew (Sally) of Bellevue, Wash.; a brother, Ernest Williams (Margaret) of Estacada, Ore.; three sisters, Grayce Folsom (Delbert - deceased) of Portland, Lorraine Ramos (Manuel - deceased) of Great Falls, Mont., and Barbara Landauer (Fritz) of Portland; two grandchildren, Amy (Greg) Alexander and Angela (Ryan) Cunningham, and six great-grandchildren, Aidan, Logan and Quinn Alexander, and Cade, Paige, and Avery Cunningham. A great grandchild Brodie Cunningham predeceased her.
Judy went through life enjoying the outdoors, animals, gardening, golf, bridge clubs, poetry and family. Her pets were too numerous to list but she could tell many stories about each one. They included sheep, dogs, cats, chickens, horses and often coveys of quail. Gardens were always a part of her home, providing abundant amounts of produce, fruit, berries and flowers. Summer family dinners were sometimes entirely off the property. Her golf game was enviable as she played competitive golf at country clubs and schooled her boys for years.
Mostly a stay-at-home Mom, Judy worked at various jobs to make "mad money" which she spent on the home and gifts for family and rarely on herself. A steady pace of letters and phone calls kept her in touch with her far-flung siblings and friends. In addition to this effort, she was a tremendous support to Jim as his career in banking took him to increasingly more responsible positions in the states of Washington and California. She not only marshaled each of the moves, got the family reestablished with new friends, and organized the entertainment of various clients; she also provided wise counsel to Jim in sizing up new employees and customers.
After retirement from the bank, Judy and Jim settled in Selah and became very involved with field trialing of German Wirehaired Pointers across the country. They traveled to events in a Dodge dual-axle and tow trailer with horses, dogs, accommodations and all the gear. Many stories and wonderful memories were generated with their passionate pursuit of this hobby. Ribbons and belt buckles were collected as well.
Judy led a fine and rich life among friends and family. She leaves behind a grateful group who will dearly miss her meals, character and companionship.
Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made in Judy's name to Memorial Home Care Services at 1019 South 40th Avenue, Yakima WA 98908, or Best Friends at 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab UT 84741-5000.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, Portland, OR.
Lincoln Memorial Park & Funeral Home
11801 Se Mount Scott Blvd, Portland, OR 97086 - 503-771-1117
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