Judy Simonen

Judy Lee Parks Simonen passed away on January 19, 2016.  She was born in Des Moines Iowa to Lola and Garold Parks on September 1, 1946.  Her favorite childhood times were spent on a farm near Ames, IA with many pets and her own pony Trigger.  Later the family moved to Ames and she graduated from Ames High in 1964.  The high school slogan was “Ames High Aims High”.  She attended the American Institute of Business in Des Moines and then joined the book keeping department at the Union Story Bank.

On October 4, 1969 Judy married Edward Simonen a graduate student at Iowa State University.  Daughter Deborah was born in 1971 prior to Ed and Judy moving to Richland, WA where Ed found work at the AEC research laboratory (now PNNL).  Daughter Patricia was born in Richland in 1977.

During Judy’s period of raising children, she was an advocate on many church and community activities.  She and a few friends founded a book club in 1972 that remains active today.  She promoted church education from preschool to being chairman of the board of education at Richland Lutheran Church.  In addition she is known for promoting Bible studies and cofounding a midweek youth program.

Judy felt strongly that she should be involved in community activities apart from church.  She served as Secretary of the local Audubon Society during the initial phases of forming the Hanford Reach.  Later she was the Richland City coordinator in the Tri City Youth Soccer Association.  Her emphasis was always on youth development as well as soccer development.  She assisted the Hanford High School band program serving as an unofficial aid.  Again her role was advocating for the kids when dealing with parents, the band director and the school board.

Judy is survived by her husband Edward, two daughters Deborah Simonen of Kennewick and Patricia (Andy) Gerlicher and two grandchildren Blake and Carter Gerlicher all of Woodinville.  She leaves behind one sister Jane (Donald) Freeman of Tumwater and their two children Riley and Margaret. Also her surviving in-laws include Tom and Candy Simonen of Berkeley, CA and Fred and Chris Simonen with respective nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at Richland Lutheran Church at 2:00pm on January 30, 2016.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Richland Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer’s Association.  The family would like to thank Guardian Angel Homes for the excellent care of Judy.