Judith Rita-Ann Palmer

Judy was born the second of 2 daughters to Raphelita and Henry Casadas (an infant survivor of the Ludlow Mine Massacre) on January 24, 1940 in Trinadad, CO. Judy left us on August 18, 2025 in Tucson, AZ. At 3 she self-taught herself to read using the United Mine Worker's Journal. At 5 she contracted Polio and was taken to a sanitarium in Pueblo. Judy remembers her mother Visiting her daily, waving from an outside window while she was being treated (like Covid-Polio was an air born virus). Primary schooled in Trinidad, Judy's family moved to Denver where she worked part time while attending school. Always working her jobs ranged from helping sell fruit and vegetables to later assisting patients and staff in a Preemie ward. At 10, she filed the paperwork necessary for her father to receive assistance because he suffered from Black Lung Disease. She also attended the numerous hearings her father had to attend 9(w/UMW) to finally receive these benefits. After high school Judy enrolled at Western State College where she graduated with a degree in education. She taught in the Denver Public Schools for 10 years. While starting a family situation changed, plus during her second pregnancy she was told that she couldn't "show" while teaching. She could however be a monitor for 20% her teaching salary. Needing any paycheck, and over district objections, she took a position on the school campus she had taught and became active in the teacher union (DCTA). This work would interest the NEA and she was hired by them after her tenth year in education. She was one of first 2 females hired into the position of NEA Uniserv, which directly supports members. The deciding factor in taking this job was the lack of pay in education. For the next 2 years Judy worked in D.C., and flew home on weekends and holidays to be with her children who lived with her parents. With this parental support, she was still the sole financial supporter for her daughter and son who received this support all the way to their graduation in college. In 1978 Judy was offered a contract with the Tucson Education Association in 1978. This was the year of the TUSD/TEA Strike. She worked at TEA for 14 years as Assistant Executive Director. In 1991, at 51, she quit TEA, and entered law school the UofA. 3 years later, While taking her Bar Exam, Judy experienced blurred vision, and Drs. found she had diabetes, a family ailment. She would fight this disease the rest of her life (he last 3 on daily dialysis). In 1994 she partnered with Bob Gary and worked with him at "Gary and Palmer" for over 20 years. This fulfilled a dream her father and she had to own her own business. The last 10 years of law she specialized in contract law, with Pima County assisting parties concerned with child safety in placement their home. Judy has been married for over 41 years to Tery Wilson Palmer. During these years she continued cruising the world, vacationing in Europe, traveling with: grandkids, cousins, family friends little and small, up and down our West Coast. Judy strongly supported Planned Parenthood, Tucson Community Food Bank, Al-anon and had Wildcat BB Season Tickets for years. From 50-year-old friendships to her last contacts with her Hospice helpers, the Firemen at Station 3 that helped reposition her she always greeted everyone with the warmest of smiles. Never a complaint. Judy was a people person. She helped thousands of TEA members who had been grieved or just needed support. Outside of the TEA and lawyering, she touched hundreds more through her personal willingness to make things better. She volunteered and organized numerous events outside of education. In her personal life she was loyal, honest, sensitive to all and always positive. She lived by a code centered around truth and good will. There will be no formal (funeral) or informal (sharing) goodbye. This Bio is her adios. "The last thing these people need is another meeting!"