Judith Armstrong

1935 - 2025

Judith Mae Armstrong, of Green Valley, Arizona, passed away surrounded by family on October 1st, 2025. Judith was born in Phoenix, Arizona to Eugene and Lera Smith on November 7th, 1935, the youngest of four daughters. Spirited and adventurous, Judith began her life-long journey of world travel when she married Charles Armstrong, a United States Air Force Pilot. They had three children, Michael, Patricia, and John. Though they divorced, Judith and Charles remained close friends.
During stops at Air Force bases in Michigan, Alabama, Oklahoma, and the San Francisco Bay Area, Judith expressed herself through creative outlets, including sewing, knitting, gardening, and painting, particularly rosemaling. Her creativity spanned the decades and the globe, where she used all of her artistic talent to make each of her residences warm, beautiful, and above all else, a home.
Judith graduated from Tucson High School and San Francisco State University with a BA in Sociology. She honorably served in the Red Cross around the world, including Germany, Japan, Kosovo, and Doha, before returning closer to home in New York and Louisiana. After retiring and traveling far and wide, Judith returned home to her beloved Tucson, where her garden was an oasis of peace and greenery for herself and her beloved (and spoiled) dogs, the local birds, and anyone lucky enough to be a friend or neighbor.
Judith had a spirit of compassion and curiosity that inspired all who knew her and maintained a brilliant sense of humor throughout her life. She loved reading, classic films, and spending time with family and friends. She will be sorely missed by the many people who loved her.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Lera, and her sisters Marilyn, Shirley, and Patricia.
She is survived by her son Michael (Dawn) Armstrong of Chesapeake, Virginia; daughter Patricia (David) King of Albany, Ohio; and son John (Veronica) Armstrong of Liberty Hill, Texas; along with her cousin Reg Ramsay; eight grandchildren, Michelle, Eric, Rachel, Charles, Laura, Thomas, Lewis, and Samantha; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
Celebration services will be held at Evergreen Memorial in Tucson, Arizona on November 15th at 11:00 a.m. The family asks that those attending wear black and teal, two of her favorite colors. Judith will be interred there with her parents, sister, and niece. She donated generously to many charities, and the family asks that you make a donation to a charity close to your heart in her honor, in lieu of flowers.