Judith Ann Smith

Judith Ann Smith died July 24, 2026, at the age of 85 in Fort Collins. She was born in Peoria, Illinois, on February 8, 1941, to Ruth Elizabeth Garber. Her mother and she were fostered by a childless couple, Arzey Henry and Lucille Eugenia (Zimmermann) Watkins, since her single mother worked full time in manufacturing. In 1951, Ruth married James Henry Seffer, giving Judy a fine stepfather and some already-grown-up stepsiblings. Her half sister Anna was born in 1952.

She attended Peoria County schools from 1st through 12th grade, completing eighth grade at Monroe Elementary School in 1955. She graduated as co-valedictorian from Limestone Community Hight School in 1959, where she had been editor of the school newspaper and was active in band and choir. Attending college at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, she received a Bachelor of Arts in English, achieving her degree Summa Cum Laude in 1963. Coming to Colorado State University in Fort Collins to pursue a Master of Arts in English literature, she served as Graduate Teaching Assistant from 1963 through 1965. She was temporary instructor in the CSU English department for 2 trimesters in 1966.

In 1964, she met her future husband, Peter Graham Smith, who was also working on his MA. A mutual love of wordplay and punning revealed many common interests. They were united in marriage on August 28, 1965, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fort Collins. To this union were born four children; Christopher Joseph, Michael Edward, Mary Elizabeth, and Rebecca Ann.

As a full-time homemaker during her children’s growing-up years, Judy found time in 1968 to help organize the Poudre Valley Childbirth Education Association (now known as Foothills CEA), in which she served as newsletter editor, treasurer, and instructor. She was also active in La Leche League for some 18 years, editing a regional LLL newsletter in addition to working with nursing mothers. It was her great joy to work with expectant and new parents for many years.

In 1979, she worked part-time for Dr. Walter Ehmann, DC, until his untimely death; the following year, she served as a 5th grade teacher’s aide at St. Joseph Catholic School. When her daughters were still in elementary school, she partnered with her sister-in-law Mary Grace Coming to lead a Brownie Girl Scout troop at St. Joseph School. She continued to be active with the Mountain Prairie Girl Scout Council until her daughters completed their Gold Awards.

Part-time work at Discovery Land Childcare Center filled 3 years until she returned to CSU for a second Masters degree in the fall of 1987. Following completion of her degree in English as a Second Language in 1990, she taught as an instructor in the Intensive English Program (now known INTO CSU) until early August 1995. She became a Library Technician in the CSU Morgan Library in mid-August 1995, a position she held until her retirement in 2011.

In addition to her regular employment, she was active in Holy Family Catholic Parish as a member of the music ministry and serving as lector and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion for many years. She trained new lectors and Ems for 10 years and served on the Holy Family Parish Council for 3 ½ years. Since 220, she and Peter have been attending St. John XXIII University Catholic Parish, where Judy serves as a Lector.

An avid reader, Judy was also known for her ability to grow and rehabilitate. African violets and orchids and for her skill and counted crows-stitch needlework.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Andrew and Anna (Hatter) Garber, her mother, Ruth, her stepfather Jim, several aunts and uncles, and her “foster” parents, Lucille and Arzey Watkins, her mother- and father-in-law, Mary Grace and Donald Eugene Coming, and by Peter, her husband of 58 ½ years on March 4, 2024.

She is survived by her sister Anna (David) Rogers of Washington, IL, children, Christopher (Lisa) of Loveland, CO; Michael (Michelle), of Windsor, CO; Mary (Mark) Boorsma, of Albert Lea, MN; and Rebecca (Will) Wade, of Laporte, CO. Also, ten grandchildren; Danielle (Steve Brooks) and Alanna Kildahl-Smith, Madelyn (Derek) Whitman and Tristan Smith, Rika, Lydia, and Erin Boorsma, and David, Samuel, and Ila Wallace Brooks, and four nieces; Julie (Josh) Robertson, Caroline (Nate) Young, Sarah (Josh) Roy, all of Washington, IL, and Reeta (Daniel) Treat of Fort Collins.

A prayer service will be held at St. John XXIII University Catholic Parish, please check back at a later date for more information. 
Mass of Christian Burian will be celebrated at 12:00pm, Monday, August 10th at St. John XXIII University Catholic Parish. Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Care Net, Alliance Defending Freedom, Paulist Prison Ministries, Lamba; or Ram Catholic at St. John XXIII.