Judith Joy Coriell
Judith Joy Coriell was born in Great Falls on Sept. 27, 1916.
She was raised on her family’s ranch outside of Stanford with her parents Mary Effie Lemon and Lewis Alonzo Coriell, and siblings Dr. Louis Lemon Coriell (Esther), Myrtle Denise Holgate (Stanley), Viola Fender (Marvin), and Dr. Earl Donald Coriell (Betty), and her half-brother and sister Olga “Jack” Coriell and Hyacinth Nevada Coriell (Rollwitz). Judith’s parents also raised Hyacinth’s children, William Rollwitz and Eileen Rollwitz (Wagner) after their parents died.
Much to her mother’s disapproval based on her refined Eastern sensibilities, Judith was a ranch hand and loved every aspect of life on a working ranch. She flourished in the outdoors as a child growing up in the depression. She often spoke of riding her horse, her dog Foxy and their many adventures and regular chores.
She graduated from Stanford High School in 1934. She was working in San Francisco as secretary to the president of Great Northern Railroad during World War II. When her father fell ill she came home and ran the ranch until his health returned.
She married Morgan St. Clair Reese from Belgrade on Feb 16, 1946 in Helena. His parents, Carrie Alma Morgan and Percival Everton Reese, owned a grain elevator outside of Belgrade which was the scene of many a happy childhood adventure for Judith’s two daughters, Sheryl Anne Reese (Frasier) of Kalispell, and Michele Diane Reese (Foley) of Whitefish.
Morgan and Judith lived in Cut Bank. Judith worked as a nurse and office manager for Dr. George Waller for over 30 years. She was known in the community as an intelligent, educated person whose interests including ranching, archeology, astrophysics, and gourmet cooking.
Judith was living in her own home near Sheryl in Kalispell with her cat Bigglesworth until just a few months before her death.
She passed away peacefully from complications of old age at Brendan House at age 98. Her daughters were at her side on that glorious spring morning of Sunday, April 19, 2015.
She is survived by her daughters; her two sons-in-law, Joe Ruffolo and Dennis Foley; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the Reese family.