Judith “Judy” Marie Krell
Kirking was born on November 7,
1945, to Marie Krell (Heimark)
and Ernest Krell. The eldest of
three children and the first in her
family to graduate college (and,
later, earn an MA), Judy had an
inclination toward caretaking and
responsibility that came naturally
to her and developed into a
defining piece of her being. From
keeping watch over her younger
brothers, to her four-decade long
career as a social worker fighting for kids in need, to becoming a mom
and grandma herself, Judy was always looking out for others.
Yet, amidst this responsibility, Judy was often up for a little
mischief, too. Memories of this fun-loving side of Judy always begin
with seeing a certain glint in her eyes. It was there when, because he
was acting decidedly like a “little monkey”, she pretended to call the
Humane Society to take away her baby brother, and when she skipped
school to ride the roller coaster at Nat Park that her parents had forbid
her from riding (only to be captured in the act on the front page of the
paper the next day), and it was there when she playfully liberated a
traffic cone from its previous placement in order to thank a special
family friend for his dedication to her kids with a symbol of a longrunning
inside joke. Judy was widely regarded as quiet and perhaps
even reserved, but those who knew her well knew that sparkle in her
eye and the delightful and witty fun that came with it.
Proudly born and raised in Spokane, Judy graduated from North
Central High School and then attended WSU. After graduation, she
excitedly took her freshly-minted WSU degree to the “big city” - aka,
Seattle - for her first full time job as a social worker, kicking off a long
career dedicated to public service. Though Judy’s stay in Seattle was a
short one, it did yield her first true love – the new blue Mustang she
used to drive herself home to Spokane, where she would devote herself
for the next forty years to protecting children and families in need in
the Spokane region as a foster care and adoptions social worker. It
was a calling she loved, but one that weighed on her deeply at times.
Not long into her career, colleagues introduced her to a bagpipe-playing
divinity school graduate who was similarly inclined towards
social services. Less than a year after meeting, in July 1975, Judy
married the man who would walk with her through the next 48 years,
Kerry Kirking. Judy and Kerry went on to welcome two daughters –
Katie (1977) and Annie (1982). She made sure her daughters
understood the importance of being self-sufficient and of giving back,
and along with Kerry, raised them to believe they could do whatever
they set their minds to.
The family was small, loving, and tight knit. Katie and Annie always
knew they could go to their parents for anything and that there was no
place safer or more comforting than being by their mom’s side.
Together, Kerry and Judy modeled an equal partnership from the start
as well as the importance of taking care of one another – a model
their daughters followed as they took care of their parents amid illness
that came far too early. Having cared for her own mother during her
struggle with Alzheimer’s, Judy was diagnosed with the disease in
2016. As she courageously faced the changes that came along with
the progression of Alzheimer’s, her family always by her side, Judy
continued to fill her life and that of those around her with love and
kindness. Even in the midst of Alzheimer’s there was little that excited
Judy more than the thought of becoming a grandmother. In 2019,
overjoyed, Judy welcomed the birth of her granddaughter, Evie, who
was (and continues to be) a special light amid the hard times.
Even on her last day – the deep love Judy felt for her family, her
mischievous spirit, and her giant heart could be clearly felt; those who
took the time to look and truly listen were richly rewarded. Having
unexpectedly lost Kerry just 5 months prior, Judy passed away with her
daughters by her side the morning of May 14, 2024. Her loss leaves a
hole that will never be filled, but her legacy will live on in her
daughters, her granddaughter, and in the many lives she impacted in
her work.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Marie Krell
and her husband, Kerry Kirking. She is survived by her daughters,
Katie and Annie Kirking and granddaughter, Evie Kirking (all of
Spokane); brother, Thomas (Kris) Krell of Spokane Valley; brother,
Robert (Deanna) Krell of Olympia; and nephews, Brian Krell (Seattle)
and Adam Krell (Olympia); along with numerous cousins and extended
family.
Funeral services will be held at the Cathedral of St. John the
Evangelist, Spokane, on June 8, at 4 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Judy’s honor to Hilarity
for Charity, raising awareness and support for Alzheimer’s disease and
other dementias.
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