Judith Terbush

1941 - 2026

TERBUSH Judith Ann Parker, passed from this world February 23, 2026. Judy Terbush was born on September 7, 1941 in the small town of Brockville, Ontario, nestled in a crook of the Saint Lawrence River to Cecil Frank Parker and Elsie Beattie Parker. While some of her age often spoke of trudging uphill both ways in deep snow to get to school, Judy would often ice skate on the creeks near her house to school. She was a studious child and teen. She graduated Valedictorian from High School in Stephensville, Ontario in 1959. The call to nursing led her to nursing school at Greater Niagara General Hospital in Niagara Falls, Ontario and then to Honolulu Hawaii to work at Kapi'olani Children's Hospital. Just off the plane from Canada she met her future husband Thomas Terbush. Married in Canada less than a year later, they moved to Oklahoma for Tom's education. There they had three children, Kristin, Kimberly, and Scott. Soon after Scott was born, they moved to Richmond, VA. Judy lead an understated life. Married to an outgoing husband, this pediatric nurse put family first in raising her children and supporting her family. She made life-long friends while working nights at Chippenham Hospital on the 11pm-7am shift. Working nights allowed her to be home for the children and support her husbands company. A subtle sense of adventure led her to Hawaii for that faithful meeting with Tom and earlier, while still in nursing school, on a trip across Canada with 2 other students and one random hitchhiker. It also led her to catch Ray Charles in concert and a chance sighting of Muhammad Ali as he cruised town in a convertible to raise interest in an upcoming bout. Her humor helped make the family hum along while her frugality kept the kids happy when money was tight. Famous for starting Christmas shopping on December 26th, she made sure her kids never felt left out. Her love of travel with Tom was probably challenged on 32+ hour straight drives to Oklahoma with 3 children. With Judy, the children were never bored on those long drives as she provided new small toys every hour of the drive. A cheap toy was well worth an hours' entertainment. When the last child eventually left the home, she and Tom began to travel more. Often their trips were to see family, research genealogy, or take their grand-kids on adventures. When Tom passed in 2007, Judy lost her life and travel partner. She carried on with the help, love, and support of her family and friends. In her later years, she was diagnosed with early onset dementia. The dementia stole some of her memories while COVID isolation robbed her strength and strokes plundered her mobility. The final stroke took her ability to swallow, her voice, and her life. She was proceeded in death by her father Cecil Parker, her mother Elsie Parker, and her husband Tom Terbush. She is survived by her daughter Kristin Thrower-Stowe and her husband Scott Stowe, her daughter Kimberly Terbush and her partner Donald Gustafson, her son Scott Terbush and his wife Lindsey Terbush, and her five grandchildren, Megan Thrower, Michael Thrower, Carter Watson, Reid Watson, and Alex Terbush. A memorial service will be held at Bon Air United Methodist Church, 1645 Buford Road Richmond, VA 23235, on March 20th, 2026 at 11:30am followed by a reception and visitation at 12:30pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in her memory to Crater Community Hospice 3916 South Crater Road Petersburg, VA 23805. Also, give your loved ones a hug for Mom.