Forever young, never old and always fun…Judith Kathryn Inch of Palm Desert; after a six year fight with cancer, and fight she did, with grace and dignity, Judi passed away on November 26th in her home, in relative peace, surrounded by her loved ones. We cheered her on in life and wished her aloha as she passed from this life into the presence of the Lord.
She was born November 18, 1940, in Tracy, Minnesota to Virgil and Leah Brown; she was proud of her roots. Later the family moved to Minneapolis where she graduated from West High.
Judi did not let the grass grow under her feet and moved to California right out of high school, and, moved again to Arizona. In Arizona she married and had her son, Tim, who was the light of her life. Again, a move, back to California where she became a business woman owning and running more than a few Baskin Robbins Stores in Orange County. By the mid-1970s her marriage dissolved.
A few years later she met and married a wonderful man Graham Inch. They moved several times, it was always a wonder to me, where are they going to end up next. They ended up on Maui for a few years…running a store in Lahaina. My aunt loved Hawaii, and exemplified the Aloha Spirit. Walking into their home was like walking into a warm embrace, you were always welcomed and felt loved. They were back on the mainland when tragedy struck, her beloved son, Tim, became ill and died at the age of 21. Uncle Graham was her rock during this time. I know the world stopped turning when my cousin died, life did not feel or look the same from that time on.
But, my aunt was a strong woman, she had faith in God, she was determined not to let life roll her over and crush her. She was always there for her friends when there was a need.
When she “retired” she began volunteering at the local hospital, taking it seriously, showing up on time, and being there.
She played Bunco, stayed active with friends and family. Was a proud Red Hat Lady…even when she was sick during chemo – she would go to her Red Hat Society get togethers. Even though she was 77, she never looked it, and she was fun to be around and a positive person.
She is predeceased in death by her mother, Leah T. Brown (nee Pommier) and father, Virgil R. Brown, her sister Janet L. Petero (nee Brown), her son Timothy Keith. She leaves behind, a niece, Kimberly Ann Ahern (nee Brown), Great-nephew, Nicholas R. Quient (nee Ahern), Great-niece, Noell Anna Ahern, nephews, Matt Petero and Steve Petero, great-nephew Robbie Petero and great-niece Cheyenne Petero, and her two step-children, Suzanne Gallagher (nee Inch) and Graham Bruce Inch.