Judith Ann Nikolaus (Jones) passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014, in Phoenix. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Downtown Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 300 N. 11th St. in Show Low. The concluding service and inurnment will immediately follow at the Show Low Cemetery.
She was born on Aug. 15, 1942, in Jerome to Paul Willis and Leslie Josephine (Reeves) Jones.
Judy spent her early childhood in the Verde Valley and moved to Show Low as a young girl, where she attended school in Show Low and Snowflake. After high school, she was active in the Church Girls’ Camp as well as the rodeo queen competitions in the area. She was always proud of her commitment to these programs.
After leaving Show Low, she spent several years in Kingman and Phoenix, where she worked 23 years for Safeway before heading to Window Rock, where she worked 12 years as an office manager for Window Rock Insurance.
Judy loved quilting, baking, crafting, being outside, gardening, camping, playing the slots and just keeping busy. Her greatest love, though, was for her family. She loved her kids, grandkids, extended family and friends with her whole heart. She was known as Grammy to all from 1 to 71. She was a hardworking, generous, fun, sassy lady who will leave not just one, but two shoes to fill.
Survivors include her three children, son Steve, and daughters Tammie (Karl) and Terri (John); her grandchildren, Jake (Ruby), Travis (Sheanna), Kylee (Jeremy), Mattie (Lee) and Hanna (Drew); her great-grandchildren, Cyanne, Kaiden, Maya, Conradd, Madisyn, Presley and Everly; her honorary children, Cristi, Scott, Kim and Jamie; and her honorary grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Steven (Sam), Cyndy, Malory, Cinnamon, Bailey, Sophia, Vincent, Justin, Jayce and many, many more. She is also survived by her brothers, Leroy (Lucina) and Al (Charlie); and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Paulette; her brother, Ermon; and her first husband, Gerry Nikolaus.
Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low was in charge of the arrangements.
