Judith Nancy Rutila

Judith Nancy Rutila passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at the age of 84. Judith (Judy) was born in Highland Park, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, at Highland Park Hospital in 1939. Judy enjoyed growing up in Michigan and spent her childhood close with her older brother David Ross. An exceptional student, Judy attended Eastern Michigan University in the 1950's before meeting the love of her life, Tom Rutila, on a last-minute blind date. As Judy would later recall "I knew I would marry your dad the moment we locked eyes". The love story blossomed and soon after their college romance, Tom and Judy were married on a gorgeous snowy day at St. Alexanders Church on January 25, 1960. The couple followed Tom's placement with U.S. Steel at the iron mines in the Appalachia Mountains of West Virginia. While Tom was managing the miners, Judy educated the men's wives. Soon thereafter, the two moved to Scottsdale, Arizona where Judy's parents, Jim and Ruth Ross (and younger brother Wayne), had previously moved. Judy and Tom soon welcomed three children: James Rutila (1961), Nancy Rutila McCormick (1965) and Robert Rutila (1971). In her late 30's, Judy returned to school to finish her social work studies at Arizona State University. She fondly reminded her family (on any occasion) that she graduated summa cum laude with a 4.0, or "the top 1%". After graduation, Judy volunteered at the Biltmore psychology and counseling clinic, later working for the national council on alcoholism. She sweetly and generously gave her time and love to all in both her professional and personal life. She thoroughly enjoyed raising her three children and watching them play various sports and musical instruments. Judy's favorite activities included spending time with her mother and family, skiing, playing tennis and visiting San Diego where she sailed with Tom on their boat and spent time reading/knitting under an umbrella with him on the beach. Judy's sense of adventure included travelling with her mother, Ruth, on a cruise through the Panama Canal and on many occasions with Tom to several European countries. In 2018, after Tom's passing, Judy moved to an independent living facility where she made several friends playing cards, eating dinner and sharing stories. During these years she immensely enjoyed her weekly visits with her "best little buddy" and grandson, William Rutila. The two shared an inseparable bond obvious to all. Her last neighbor described her perfectly, stating, "Judy always came into the room with a great big smile. She was just always so happy and so sweet to be around". Judy Nancy Rutila will be missed intensely by all she knew and loved. She is predeceased by her husband, Tom, and survived by her children James (and Marlene) Rutila, Nancy (and Kim) McCormick and Robert (and Charlene) Rutila. She is grieved by three-grandchildren, Megan and Ryan McCormick (Nancy) and William Rutila (Robert) and step-grandchildren, Marcus, Livia and Lara. She is mourned by her brother, Wayne and his children, James and Amanda, and her nephew and niece, Alan and Donna Ross. She is predeceased by her brother, Dave Ross, her parents, James and Ruth Ross. No services are being held. Condolences and/or flowers may be sent to her family at 6960 E. Ivyglen Street, Mesa, AZ 85207.