Judy Weekes-Walker

Weekes-Walker, Judy ……
It is with broken hearts that Judy’s family announces her passing on Tuesday, July 1st, in her 61st year. Surrounded by family and friends 24/7 over her last few days, Judy lost her short but tenacious fight with a recently diagnosed brain tumour. Judy took this fight head on as she did everything in life – with determination of steel, graciousness and humour.

Judy was the beloved daughter of the late George (2008) and Edith (1992) Weekes. She is survived by her loving husband, Paul, of 38 years and their canine companion, Buddy; her cherished daughter, Alyson Van Sickle and treasured son-in-law, Sam. She was the adored, and adoring, Grandma of Riley and Brooks Van Sickle. Affectionately known as “Grandma Bama”. She is also survived by her much loved, and devoted, “little seester”, Carol Weekes Schacter and her brother-in-law, Gord Schacter. She will be sadly missed by her step-mother, Veronika Weekes, mother-in-law Jean Walker, brother-in-law Richard Walker (Brenda) and nephew Mark Walker, sister-in-law Tracy Walker (Rick) and “adopted” daughter, Brittany Coste.

Judy was fortunate to have a circle of very devoted extended family and friends. She had an abundance of loving cousins. She could never understand why families distinguish between their 1st, 2nd and 3rd’s. She loved them all the same. They were family!

Thanks to her friends Sue and Bill Norton, Sue and Kevin Walsh, Carol and Lisa Tofflemire and Lorraine Smith who made special trips to visit her. They stood by her in thick and thin over their many years of friendship and brought with them many stories that provided the family with much laughter in the difficult past few days.

In 2000 Judy and her family moved to Michigan for her husband’s work. This was followed by time in Alabama and Florida. They recently (2012) returned to Canada (Windsor) to be closer to family.

Judy was an insurance broker at Fred J. Weekes & Son Ltd. Insurance, in London, for almost 30 years. She treated her insurance clients, and coworkers, as she did all family and friends in her inner circle; with fierce loyalty. She carried on that tradition working in Michigan at Walnut Hills Golf Club, in Alabama at Harriot II Riverboat and Victory Land Quincys, in Tampa at Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club, and in Windsor at Corner Bar and Grill. She played competitive women’s slo-pitch for teams including, Alibi Road House and Central Tool & Die (Thank you to Art Horvath!) and also played on a co-ed team, C.J. Pink, with her husband, and friends, for many years.

The family (and Judy) would like to thank the Emergency and Neurosurgical teams at London Health Science Centre – University Hospital (physicians, surgeons, residents, pharmacists, nurses, & RT’s) that over saw her care for the past 11 weeks. They were particularly gracious in the past few days, providing us with courtesy, compassion and physical space to enable family and friends to be there 24/7. Also a thank you to the Radiation and Oncology teams at the London Regional Cancer Program.

We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Dr. Robert Richards (“Dr. Bob”), Dr. Rachel Schaefer (“Dr. Rach”), Dr. Mary Jenkins (“Dr. Mare”) and Danya Walker, for giving of their professional gifts on their personal time and for providing many moments of comic relief. She was immensely grateful for your ongoing care and concern and was comforted that she was in great hands. She felt so lucky to have all of you with her during this journey, as did we.

And last but not least, a special thank you to cousins, Sandy Edgar and Janis Millman, who have been like sisters, and dropped everything to be with us when that phone rang.

At Judy’s request there will be no funeral or visitation. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 3, from 2:00 p.m. onward at her sister and brother-in-law’s cottage – her favourite spot on earth – her place of peace and calm! All family and friends are invited to attend. For those not familiar with the location or address please contact one of the family members for details. Please arrive in bright beach apparel… flip-flops included!

As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, 620 Colborne St. Suite 310, London, ON, N6B 3R9 and/or the London Humane Society, 624 Clarke Road, London, ON, N5V 3K5. A. Millard George Funeral Home (519-433-5184) entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences, memories and photographs can be shared at www.amgfh.com.

Judy’s passing will be a huge loss to all of us but we will continue to keep her alive in our hearts and memories.

In the words of a great woman “It is what it is!”