Judy Ann Wallace – wife, mother, friend, and resident sleuth – passed away at her home on Orcas Island on November 22, 2016. Born in Everett, Washington she was the first of two children born to Kenneth Ward and Ruth (Bergan) Ward. Judy attended Everett High School and Everett Junior College where she was introduced to her future husband, Ron, in 1965.

Ron and Judy got engaged shortly before he left for Vietnam and were married upon his return on January 26, 1968. They moved to Orcas Island a couple years later. In her early years living on Orcas, Judy worked at Rosario and OPALCO. She then spent many years as a bookkeeper for Eastsound Water Users Association, the Port Commission and the Eastsound Sewer and Water District – all while handling the books for her husband’s construction business.

Known for her positive, benefit-of-the-doubt attitude and her innate desire to help others, Judy held a deep passion for bridging relationships and reuniting people. She helped many individuals find lost loved ones, birth parents, and classmates. She also helped reunite veterans from her husband’s infantry unit. This sparked her helping reunite the Mobile Riverine Force and other military people. She organized the delivery of over 700 care packages to active troops in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last few years. She was truly a light in this world for others.

Judy’s life will always be a testimony of the true power of loving one another. People all over the world have been affected by her kindness and generosity. She was a longtime member of both the American Legion Auxiliary and the Orcas Island Sportsmen Club. She is survived by her husband, Ron Wallace; her children – Shelley, Heather and Brian; extended family – Cristina Brown and Family; grandchildren –Dylan and Jillian, and the multitudes who considered her part of their lives.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. at the American Legion. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Orcas Senior Center, the Wounded Warrior Project or Friendly Water for the World.