Judy Lynne Stokes
Judy Lynne Stokes
Judy Lynne Stokes, 77, of Boise, died at home on August 31, 2016. She was born to Verd and Virginia (Brownlee) Metcalf in San Francisco, California on May 20, 1939. Her family, originally from Idaho, returned there in 1947 where she finished elementary school, junior high school and graduated from Idaho Falls High School in 1957. Judy attended the University of Idaho where she became a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. There she met a Sigma Chi, Lee Stokes, who would become the love of her life (and occasional combatant) and they were married on July 23, 1960, in Idaho Falls, a union which would extend to 56 years. Judy was one day younger than Lee, a fact of which he was reminded annually. A son, Timothy, was born in Moscow, Idaho in 1961 just prior to Lee’s graduation from the U of I and the family’s move to Helena, Montana. In 1962 Lee’s career brought them to Boise where Judy began her employment with the State of Idaho, first with the Department of Transportation (1962¬1965), the Idaho Legislature (1978-1983) and the Public Utilities Commission (1984-2001). A daughter, Teri, was born in 1965 in Boise just prior to the next family adventure as they moved to Minnesota where Lee enrolled in graduate school at the University of Minnesota. During that four-year period they lived at various locations in Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth.
Back in Boise in 1969, Judy immersed herself in a multitude of volunteer activities. She was a member of the St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary for seven years and on the Board of Directors for three years. She was a member of the Junior League of Boise where she served on the Executive Committee and as Corresponding Secretary. She chaired or co-chaired other committees, including the Celebrity Series (bringing to Boise and hosting such luminaries as Art Linkletter, Vincent Price and Dr. Joyce Brothers), Marionettes and Public Relations. Later she chaired several committees of the Junior League Sustainers. She served the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, on the election board, chair of the gala dinner for “Side By Side By Sondheim” and performed in the fundraising presentation of “Vaudeville Revisited”. Judy was an ardent supporter of the Capital High School “Golden Girls” drill team for which she served the Mothers Club as vice-president and president (1981-1983). Her role as coordinator of school volunteers earned her an award of appreciation from the Boise School District. Further volunteer work, such as with the Women’s and Children’s Alliance and the Sounding Board, was extensive.
Judy enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, bridge, tennis, bowling, golf, lunches with her friends and, particularly, attending the sports, musical and academic events of her children and grandchildren. She was a beautiful, gregarious and stylish woman with a taste for classy tailored clothes. She considered clothes shopping to be an Olympic sport, requiring diligent practice.
Upon retirement from full-time employment in 2001, Judy and Lee enjoyed annual international travel until 2009 when Judy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and a debilitating chronic respiratory condition. Although she experienced a steady decline in physical and mental strength, she made valiant efforts to attend and appreciate the events and activities of her family until a few months prior to her death.
Judy’s parents, Verd and Virginia Metcalf, preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband, Lee, of Boise; sister, Garnet Robinson, of Idaho Falls; brother, James Metcalf (Barbara), of Goleta, California; son, Tim Stokes (Donna), of Marietta, Georgia; daughter, Teri Wiggins (Gary), of Boise; and grandchildren, Ben and Ivy Stokes and Matthew and Alexis Wiggins.
Should Judy’s friends choose to honor her life and struggles, the family suggests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association.
A Celebration of Life event will be held on October 22 at The Clubhouse Event Center, 7311 Potomac Drive, Boise. A memorial tribute will begin at 5:00 pm, followed by an evening of food, drink and sharing of memories. Family and friends of Judy, Lee, Tim and Teri are invited to attend.
1939 - 2016
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Judy Lynne Stokes, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 1
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
