Judy Diana Romans

1941 - 2026

Our mom was one tough bird.

Judy Diana Romans was born on July 16, 1941, in Beloit, Kansas. She was raised in Arvada, Colorado, the youngest daughter of Ardith and Leo Gaddis, and she deeply adored her older sister, Sue (Sheets).

Judy met her husband, Earl Franklin Romans, while Earl was working at a filling station when Judy pulled in with the family car. Family lore tells us that when Earl locked eyes on his future wife for the first time - from that moment on, the story of our family began.

Judy married Earl at just 18 years of age and immediately embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. In 1959, she left behind the comfort of family and friends to travel north with her husband to the newly declared State of Alaska, ready to face whatever lay ahead at our father's side.

Mom was one tough bird.

Judy gave birth to their oldest son, Jeffery Wade (Oksana), in 1960, followed by Ward Franklin (Denise Farmer) in 1963, Patrick Nathan in 1964, and their daughter, Marcel Arlene (Dave Sutton), in 1968. During these busy years of raising a family, Judy also played an integral role in contributing to the success of the family's cold-weather automotive battery business.

In those early years, while Earl attended to the business, Judy would periodically load up the family in their Mercury station wagon and drive the gravel Alcan that was included in the nearly 3,000 miles back to Arvada, Colorado, to visit her parents and sister - bringing along four children under the age of 12 on those unforgettable odysseys.

Mom was one tough bird.

Judy was active in local sororities, church functions, volunteer work, recreational softball, and social gatherings, but her first and greatest priority was always her family. From sporting events to recitals and other performances - of which there were many - Judy was always present, always supportive, always cheering in whatever way she could.

Her bright eyes and loving demeanor were magnetic. She had a gift for making people feel welcomed, included, and at home. Over the years, she embraced not only her children, but also their friends and spouses, creating an extended family that she cherished deeply. If you were with Judy, you were family - and you knew it.

Judy often sacrificed her own happiness and desires for those she loved. At times, she doubted her own toughness or her place within social circles, but those who truly knew her saw her brilliance of spirit and quiet grace. Her ability to show up, contribute, and care left a lasting impression - especially on her children.

Abraham Lincoln once reflected, "All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." Today, her children quietly echo that sentiment, and we remember her as the musician Billy Joel sings in "Goodnight, My Angel." Our hearts ache for our momma bear.

She was one tough bird.

Judy endured the loss of her parents, her sister, the family business, her home, and her beloved husband. Late in life, she survived an esophageal tear that prevented her from eating for three months, and she faced extraordinary medical challenges in the final stage of her life. Through it all, she fought on with resilience and courage.

Judy was one tough bird.

Later in life, Judy moved to Raven Landing, where she truly felt at home. The Alaska raven - resilient, intelligent, tenacious, and revered - became a symbol she loved. She decorated her apartment with images of the raven, admiring its ability to endure and thrive in Alaska's harsh conditions.

And like the raven, our mom persevered.

She was one tough bird.

Judy passed peacefully on Monday morning, Jan. 26, 2026, surrounded by her family and carried by the prayers and love of those who cherished her. We rejoice knowing she has taken the next step in her journey to be with Our Lord and Savior - reunited with loved ones and waiting patiently, but joyfully, for us to follow.

Judy is survived by her four children, their spouses and seven granddaughters, Rachel (Beau), Shayla (Morgan), Ashley (Tyler), Kaelyn, Cloey, Brittany, and Jenna (Kolten), and one grandson, Oleksii. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Bram, James, Alana and Camila.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to two of Judy's favorite charities: Aging at Home Fairbanks and Fairbanks Senior Center Pets Need Love Too.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5 at Raven Landing Banquet Hall. Soup will be shared and bread broken in remembrance of her life. Those in attendance are invited to share a memory - of laughter, love, and the remarkable woman we called Mom.

Our mom was one tough bird.