Judith Bennett

Judith Bennett passed on June 19th at the amazing age of 91.
In those 91 years, Judy, known by many names, Judo, Mama, Grandma, Mom, Ms. B, The Cemetery Lady, and The Pool Lady, lived a life of adventure that most could only dream of.
For Judy, love for family, love for others, and love for her community was deeply rooted in her history. Born Judith Hyams Sterkx on August 9, 1932, in Alexandria, LA, she was the daughter of Louis Hackk Sterkx and Judith Hyams Sterkx. She experienced loss early in life, losing her mother when she was 4 years old and her Grandmother who raised her during her teenage years. After her Grandmother's death, Judy moved to El Paso, TX, to live with her Aunt, Uncle, and cousins. Judy spent her time working in the Carter's Flower Shop with her El Paso Family.
In her early twenties, she met William (Bill) Bennett, whom she married and shared her life with until his passing in 1993. During that time together, they raised 4 children: Bill (Bertha), Bob (Belinda), Judy (Ron), and Melinda (Mike). As a family, they had the fortune to experience different cultures worldwide, living in Windsor Forest, GA; Needham Heights, MA; Vishakhapatnam, India; Manitowoc, WI; and Danville, KY. Ultimately, the family returned home to Las Cruces, NM, to embark on the adventure of entrepreneurship, starting WC Bennett Construction, where Judy helped Bill with the business.
Judy is probably best known as filling the role of Superintendent at the Masonic Cemetery in Las Cruces, where she helped guide thousands through the process of saying goodbye to their loved ones. Those she helped remember her as being kind, nurturing and respectful to those in their greatest time of need.
Judy was the owner of Desert Hills Swimming Pool in Doña Ana-the brainchild of her husband, Bill. Desert Hills Pool provided years of summer fun for the families who grew up in the area. Running a public pool is no small feat; Judy was there to enforce the rules, often telling kids to "PULL UP YOUR PANTS" and "DON'T RUN" while sipping her Diet Coke and eating her corn dog. Ironically, while Judy encouraged others to learn to swim, she herself did not know how.
Judy loved being surrounded by her family consisting of her children, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, David, Michelle, Donald, Richard, Jeanette, Stacy, Mariah, Bennett, Hailey, George, Alejandro, Kristina, Kathleen, Francesca, Evangelina, Beau, Ronnie, and Ruby. Judy LOVED her grandchildren and loved to laugh with them, even when they were doing things, they weren't supposed to do, while continuing to guide them in the right direction.
Judy's great love for family extended to many friends who, although not blood relations, became valued family to her. Judy's 'Best Friend' Silvia and her family-Art, Shea, and A.J.-along with Karen and Ray Goff and their daughter Cassie, Judy and Annie Quintana, and Dr. Patricio Quintana, gathered for holidays, birthdays, or simply to enjoy Judy's chocolate cake, chile rellenos, and green enchiladas. Judy's world was always filled with extra 'kids' who adopted her and became part of her life, her children's friends, the Rainbow Girls, and of course the pool kids were always in her presence. No one was turned away from Judy's house if they needed a bed to sleep in, a meal to eat, or just someone to talk to.
Judy was always a straight shooter, she was generous, kind, loving, and a great soul. Her light will live on in every life she touched; she will be greatly missed.
In her passing, Judy is able to be with her beloved husband Bill, grandson Rob, son-in-law Ron, great-granddaughter Harper, and the many friends and family that preceded her in death.
Please join us in celebrating this wonderful woman's life. Services will be held June 24th at Perches Graham's funeral home, 555 West Amador. Visitation will be from 12:30 to 2:00, celebration and remembrance beginning at 2:00, and burial at the Masonic Cemetery.