Obituary of Judith Ann Sutton

Judith (Judy) Ann Sutton was born April 28, 1938, in Endicott, New York, to parents Harold and Genevieve Webb. She died on May 19, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with Merkle Cell cancer. A special thank you to Porter Hospice in Colorado for their loving care and kindness during her final days.

Judy met and married Richard Sutton in 1960 and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1962 for 4 years where her daughter, Laurie, was born in 1964. She moved to Northglenn, Colorado several years later and had her son, Keith, in 1968. She worked as an early childhood educator for most of her professional life, teaching 4th grade in the early years, and then co-owning and directing a church-based preschool for over 25 years alongside several close teacher friends. As a teacher, she was well known and loved in the community and spent many Sundays attending Northglenn United Methodist Church.

Judy’s parents owned a cottage on Song Lake in upstate New York where Judy invited her family to spend time boating, fishing, and enjoying quality time together in the 1970s. Her family still remembers the time lightning struck the tree directly out front during a particularly strong thunderstorm. After her parents moved to Florida later in life, there were family trips to Disney and the beach. Memories of watching the lighted Disney animals floating on the lake are still with us.

Judy was very sociable with friends and loved sports. She was an avid tennis player, reaching the 4.0 level during her time playing USTA tennis. She even played in a USTA playoff tournament in Mobile, Alabama where she traveled with her team. She continued learning tennis tips from a pro up until 2021 when she finally retired. She also loved watching baseball, as she grew up attending MLB games with her father and later, watching NFL football games with family and friends.

And then there were the pies. Judy loved to bake and cook, and most Holiday meals meant a wonderful smell waffling from the kitchen. She still used recipes from the church cookbooks, assembled back in the early 1980s. The pies came in all flavors – apple, cherry, strawberry, pumpkin, and pecan – and family members all made their requests for the next Holiday on the calendar. To this day her family still makes the annual homemade cinnamon rolls she always brought for Christmas morning.

Judy has two grandchildren, Amanda (24), and Zack (21). When they were growing up, she babysat, and watched them flourish in their own sports like volleyball, baseball, and football. She was always their biggest fan and shared their childhood stories with her friends often. They have fond memories of her watching their games, spending time as a family for nearly 30 years running in Breckenridge over the July 4th Holiday, going to Disney theme parks, and taking fun cruises to the Caribbean.

In 2017, Judy moved to Wind Crest retirement community. Her husband passed shortly thereafter, and her family is forever thankful for all the good friends she made during her 6 years there. She remained active and social until the end, going to nightly dinners, continuing to raise and care for plants and flowers – roses and tulips were her favorite - reading books, and just enjoying time with her friends and family. She is survived by her daughter Laurie Lehmann and husband Tom, son Keith Sutton and his wife Janet, grandchildren Amanda Lehmann and Zack Lehmann, nieces and nephews, and their families. Her brother, Gary Webb and his wife Nancy, preceded her in death as did her niece Joanne Roehr.

Celebration of Life

Saturday, June 17, 2023
2:00-4:00pm
Wind Crest Retirement Community Clubhouse, 3235 Mill Vista Road, Highlands Ranch, Colorado (Colorado Room)

Upon arrival, let the Gatehouse know where you are going. Once through the gate, follow the road to the stop sign. Turn left, then turn right at the pond. The clubhouse is indicated by signs. Parking is limited and available in guest parking spots. I recommend carpooling.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Porter Hospice so that others are given the care and comfort Judy and her family received. https://www.rmahf.org/hospice.html

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