Judy Tyler

1941 - 2022

Judy Tyler
June 8, 1941 - March 21, 2022
Judith "Judy" Louise McClure Tyler passed away on Monday March 21 after a short illness, surrounded by her family in her San Juan Capistrano home.
Born on June 8, 1941, Judy grew up in rural Orange County. Her early years were devoted to horses – riding them, drawing them, reading books about them and occasionally pretending to be one. She and her sister Susie rode their horses together in Peter's Canyon, just below their home in Lemon Heights. Judy also rode competitively on her Palamino Jeano and ultimately achieved statewide recognition as "Western Girl." She loved animals during her entire life and as an adult, gave second chances to her dogs Kelly, Megan, Scruffy and Sassy.
After graduating from Tustin Union High School, Judy headed north to Stanford University, where she earned a BA in Biology in 1963. In addition to being an exemplary student, Judy also distinguished herself by being chosen as a "Quad Queen" in the annual yearbook – she was both smart and beautiful!
In the years that followed, she earned a Masters degree in Clinical Science and then worked as a lab technician at UCLA and Stanford (taking great pride in being known as the best at drawing blood from the tiniest of babies). Later she completed a Masters in Business Administration degree, followed by a third Masters degree in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling. This led to her longest and most rewarding career as a Christian Marriage and Family Therapist.
Things our family loves and remembers about Judy are: her love of gardening, turning an ordinary back yard into an oasis of beautiful plantings and fountains; her fun partnership with her Stanford classmate who created Croak Folks (images of frogs doing human things); her meticulous organizational skills in keeping decades of photographs of her life's adventures; her artistic ability; her strength in the face of adversity. Judy was also the "keeper" of the family memories and memorabilia.
On October 8, 2000, she married Marlowe Tyler, the love of her life, and the next 22 years were full of joy for both Judy and Marlowe, a widower with two lovely daughters, Tammy and Debbie. Judy and Marlowe shared so much together – their strong Christian faith, their love of tennis, traveling and dancing. And did Judy love to dance – not only competitive ballroom dancing with her sweetheart Marlowe but also aerobic dancing with her sister Nancy. Judy and Marlowe also enjoyed attending her brother Johnny's jazz concerts, often featuring one of their favorite artists: Barbara Morrison, a beloved jazz and Blues singer. Judy and Marlowe enjoyed many cruises on their houseboat in Lake Shasta, especially enjoying visits from family members.
"Aunt Judy" was beloved by her five nieces and nephews and their families, and she was "Grandma Judy" to Nadya and Basil, Marlowe's grandchildren. She had a wonderful way of interacting with children and for years, created beautiful photo books of the families as they grew. She will be sorely missed by her husband Marlowe, her sisters Susie (John Diekman), Nancy (John Ettlin) and brother Johnny (Laurie), along with her nieces Sarah (Andrew Tochterman) and Katelyn (Michael Beaudoin), and her nephews Eric (Kristy), Kyle (Gracie) and Steve. But all are grateful for having known and loved Judy over her 80 well lived years.
For those so inclined, gifts in memory of Judy may be given to the South Shores Church in Dana Point, California or to a charitable organization of your choice.