Judith Ann Bast

Judith Ann (Kreuzburg) Bast passed away peacefully on Oct 30th, 2025 in Burlington, VT.
She was born at Garfield Hospital in Washington, DC on Oct 23rd, 1943, and grew up in the Bethesda-Chevy Chase, MD area.
As a young girl, she summered in Ocean City, NJ, spending time waterskiing, walking on the boardwalk, enjoying Shriver's Taffy, Johnson's caramel popcorn and cracking crabs. Graduated Bethesda Chevy Chase High School in 1962.
Her Grandmother opened Mrs. K's Toll House in Silver Spring, MD in 1930. 20 years later the restaurant was then handed down to Judy's Father. As a young woman she helped out at the family restaurant filling various roles and while working the coat check she met her future husband Tom, who walked in looking for a tour. They married in 1964. Tom was in the Navy and they lived in San Diego, Norfolk and eventually settled in Rockville, MD in 1970. She enjoyed running an in-home day care for local teachers. This afforded her summers off to enjoy gardening, family vacations to the beach and playing tennis.
After they divorced in 1988, she worked at Montgomery Animal Hospital in Rockville for 14 years as the Office Manager.
She is survived by her children: Craig Bast (married to Donna) of Kingwood, WV, Joy Bast Beaudry (married to Fred) of Myrtle Beach, SC and Brian Bast of Morrisville, VT. She also is survived by 2 grandchildren: Lucas Bast of Davis, WV and Shawn Bast of Cashiers, NC.
Judy loved her lobster dinners lake side at The Shanty on the Shore in Burlington VT as well as her favorite Chinese food from Chef Lou's in Shelburne VT. She had a roughly 40-year affair with Hollywood actor Robert Redford for which she was unable to tell him about before they both passed. Her other favorites included Barry Manilow, attending 6 of his concerts, Cary Grant, Paula Deen and Tony Bennet. Judy also loved to read, spending time at the Fletcher Free Library borrowing books by James Patterson where they eventually started calling her "Mrs. Patterson". She also enjoyed reads by Dave Barry and Janet Evanovich.
Judy enjoyed cooking and baking throughout her life. Some of her famous recipes include sausage balls, pumpkin bread, chocolate chip cookies, lasagna and other family favorites. She passed down a handwritten recipe book to each of her children, which took her a total of 3 years to finish. The kids cherish this gift where they can continue the food traditions.
All her life, she was a Washington Redskins fan. Judy would yell at her beloved Joe Theismann to 'STOP LICKING YOUR FINGERS AND THROW THE DAMN BALL'. Her daughter Joy would send her the schedule to put on her fridge every year, where she tracked the results, complete with commentary.
Judy or Momma Bast, as she was known by many, will be remembered for her quick wit, humor, smile and generosity. She will be laid to rest at Parklawn Memorial Park in Rockville MD next to her mother Virginia Henshaw Pope Kreuzburg and her Brother George Pope Kreuzburg. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to her favorite Library: Donate | Fletcher Free Library To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Judith, please visit our Tree Store.