Judith (Judy) Ann Earnest

Born in Anaconda on May 14, 1942 to Dominic and Virginia Feeney, Judith Earnest joined her brother James. The family settled in Whitefish, where from an early age Judy exhibited a love for family, friends and others that was a reflection of her faith. She had a joyful time growing up in Whitefish — she cooked with her mother, picked huckleberries with her family, rode her bicycle to the lake in the summer with friends and grew in the graces of God, attending Mass weekly.

Judy moved to Spokane after high school, attending Holy Names College and then working at Old National Bank. She fell in love with Robert Earnest, a neighbor to her apartment. He began to comprehend the depth of her love for him after she collected newspapers for a month to stuff his Austin-Healey full of them one April Fool’s Day. They married and welcomed three children, Timothy, Michael and Christine. What followed was 52 years of joy together. Hers was a home full of love — for her husband, children and everyone who entered the doors. She treated them to delicious meals, warm conversations and a loving embrace that reflected the love she felt from God.

Once her own children were in elementary school, Judy’s love and concern for others led her to a job as a teacher’s aide at elementary schools. There she taught reading to young students in the lower grades, a job she relished each day. She also cherished the close friendships she developed with her co-workers. Her patience, excitement and love for children helped so many experience the joy of reading.

During those years of helping children read, Judy enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, Cameron, Logan, Dalton, Max and Gio. She traveled regularly to see each of them, playing on the floor with them, listening to them and reading to them.

After being members of other parishes, Judy and Bob joined St. Aloysius parish 22 years ago. She looked forward to its annual Novena of Grace, nine days of prayer and devotion. Judy had a close relationship with Jesus, with daily meditations on prayers and writings, praying the rosary and asking for God’s help for others.

Judy’s pastimes filled her with joy. Her garden was full of brightly colored flowers and she loved seeing how they grew and bloomed each day. Judy enjoyed the friendliness of dogs during various times of her life, and she too showed commitment to them, walking the last one on a daily basis through rain, snow or wind. In the winters she was an avid Gonzaga basketball fan.

What Judy was most known for was that she was always thinking of others. She continually did things, both large and small, so that others knew they were loved. It is this constant outpouring of her love that is both celebrated, but deeply missed in her passing.

Judy passed on Aug. 6, 2016 and is now in the presence of Jesus. Visitation was held Aug. 12 at Hennessy Funeral Home in Spokane. A Rosary followed at Rose Chapel in Spokane. A Funeral Mass was held Aug. 13 at St. Aloysius Church in Spokane. Burial followed at Holy Cross Cemetery in Spokane.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Oregon Province of the Society of Jesus, St. Labre Indian School in Montana, or purchase some beginning readers books and donate to your local school or library.