Judith Ellen Kinker

1938 - 2022

Our beloved mom, Judith Ellen Kinker, passed away on June 12, 2022. She is survived by her sister Sue Terence, her niece Erica Terence, and four daughters, Robin Rall, Nancy King, Laura King, and Karla Kinker Gunter. She was a wonderful grandma to Marin Carey, Tyson Rall, David King-Casemiro, Heather Vigil, and Hillary Nickel. She also experienced the joy of being a great grandma to Stella, Finlan, Parker, and Paige. She was the matriarch of our family.Judy was born in Chicago on April 2, 1938 to Eric and Ellen Ring. She came to California to attend UC Santa Barbara. She married Roy King and quickly had three daughters. The marriage didn't last, so she moved to San Jose and raised her daughters by herself. She had to go back to school in order to support her daughters, and she became a teacher. She married Karl Kinker in 1977 and she was with him until he died in January 2020.Judy was a teacher for 40 years, in the Oak Grove School District. She inspired her students to become independent and critical thinkers. She taught them to love reading. She is remembered as a favorite teacher by hundreds of students. In her forties, she went back to school again, to Santa Clara University, to get her master's degree in special education. She was also loved and respected by her colleagues, and continued to keep in touch with them socially long after she retired.Judy had many friends in all areas of her life. She was active in the Morgan Hill branch of the American Association of University Women. She created a bylaws committee and often had meetings at her house, accompanied by a great deal of popcorn and chardonnay. Judy loved to attend lectures, luncheons, and other events hosted by AAUW. She was constantly learning and loved to have long conversations and attend parties with her friends. Judy and Karl also loved to travel all around the world on cruises. Each year a holiday photo card would arrive in relatives' mailboxes featuring the smiling couple in far-off places, allowing others to be there vicariously. They once traveled to Sweden, tracing our family's lineage and making introductions to our overseas cousins. Every morning, Judy and Karl drank coffee and read the Mercury News. Then Judy cut out articles to send to family and friends. She knew what we were interested in so she looked for those topics for us. She was very organized and had an amazing intellect. Her humor often shined through too. She loved bookstores, so much so that they knew her by name. She adored music, from R & B to classical to jazz to opera. In her later years she became an Elvis fan. Judy died of complications from Alzheimer's, which was especially difficult because she lost the ability to speak, read, and write so she could no longer do her favorite activities. The memorial service will be a private ceremony with only close family members present. In place of sending flowers, and in honor of Judy's commitment to education for women, we invite you to donate to the Judith Kinker Memorial Scholarship Fund. Make checks payable to ISPF-AAUW and mail to AAUW MH, POB 1528, Morgan Hill, CA, 95038. To contribute online, go to www.aauwmh.org. Scroll down and click on the Donate button. Please write "Kinker Memorial" on check or in the PayPal instructions box.