MCLEOD, Judy Nadine

Judy Nadine McLeod, 71, of Baker City, died Oct. 21, 2012, at her home surrounded by her family. In the final days of her life, she was comforted to know all four of her children and many grandchildren were at her bedside. Visitations will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at Coles Tribute Center, 1950 Place St. Her memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Baker City Christian Church, 675 Highway 7. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery. There will be a reception afterward at the McLeod residence where Judy will be celebrated and remembered for the beauty, life, and laughter she brought us all, family members said. “There is a big empty space in our hearts that can never be filled and we want you back, Mama,” her family said. Her primary caregivers, her loving and dedicated husband, Ron, as well as her equally dedicated daughter, Sonya, were always at her side. Judy was born on Sept. 15, 1941, at Soledad, Calif., to Warren and Vestie Baker. Her fondest childhood memories were of her life in Jordan Valley, and the aroma of fresh-baked bread made by her Grandma Boatman. When Judy was 18, she married and soon had four children. Her first husband disappeared and for several years she courageously supported her family on her own. In 1970, Judy met the love of her life, her pillar-of-support, her constant companion, Ron McLeod. They soon married and without hesitation, Ron legally adopted her “brood of wild banshees.” The man still smiles today. Judy had many successful careers: She began in the medical industry as a certified nurses assistant at Natividad Medical Center. She also worked as a meat wrapper for Safeway, a bakery deli manager for Lucky Stores, and for a period of five years, she operated a day care in her home. Her life’s passion was rescuing and caring for all animals. Throughout her life, and in every capacity, Judy helped those less fortunate. Many people give testament that they would not be alive today if it were not for the love and support Judy unselfishly provided. Judy was also an extremely gifted artist. Given any image, Judy could replicate exactly what she saw while simultaneously giving the image a life it lacked before her touch. Whether Judy had created another life-like portrait done with charcoals or painted another beautiful still-life, all were awed by her talents. It wasn’t an uncommon occurrence to walk into Judy’s home and listen to her family argue over which one of Judy’s paintings they would be allowed to take home with them. Survivors include her loving husband of 42 years, Ronald S. McLeod of Baker City; her four children, Warren McLeod (Virginia), Beth Canales, Ronald S. McLeod Jr., (April — life partner), Sonya Delatorre (Julian), as well as Diana Monzo-(Padilla); grandchildren, Amber, Cody, Devin, Crystal, Tori, Melissa, Kayla, Tonya, Juliana, Kenny, Jett and Kaitlin; great-grandchildren, Kayden, Averi, Mile, Lillian, and Makayla; siblings, Angie Twyman and Earl “Buzzy” Baker; extended grandchildren; some ofher closest friends, Carla McDonald, Barbara Claxton, Joyce Beauther, Judy Clark, and Virginia Warsha; and pets, Champ, Coco, Brownie, Snow, Baby and Peek-a-boo. The family expressed its appreciation to these people for the love, support, and care they provided to the family, and especially to Judy: Betty Shields, Bobby Neff, Ashley Dixon, Amber Waggoner, April Bennett, Seth P (hospice nurse), Dr. Schott, Dr. Lamb and many others. Memorial contributions may be made to Best Friends, P.O. Box 183, Baker City, OR 97814. Baker City Herald 24 Oct 2012