Judith Fletcher Burdick, 86, died peacefully on Saturday, April 7, 2023, at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital in Salinas, California. She was watched over by her long time best friend and caregiver, Richard Ryan; her nephew Lincoln Bleveans and his wife Meredith; her dear friend and neighbor, Anthony Gilchrist; and in spirit from Ohio her sister, Luanna Burdick Bleveans, and niece Melanie Bleveans Holm. Many friends, former students and neighbors also paid their last respects.
Judy was born in Centralia, Washington on July 21, 1936. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Whitman College with a bachelor’s degree in English and earned a teaching credential. She taught her first year in Seattle. Having endured enough of the Northwest climate, she headed for California the next year. She taught language arts, Spanish and history to seventh and eighth graders for 36 years in the Washington Union School District.
Rather than sit around and watch the lettuce grow, Judy combined adventure, travel and learning in the summers. She studied Spanish in Mexico and Spain and enjoyed classes in history and literature during 20 summers at the Oxford/ Berkeley program. She earned a master’s degree in medieval studies at York University.
After retirement, Judy took weaving and ceramics classes at Hartnell College. Following an interest in the Vikings, Judy traveled to Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland and embroidered some of the intricate Viking designs on a large wall hanging. Later in life, she took courses with the Ollie program through Monterey Peninsula College. She was an active member of American Mensa, the Horseless Carriage Club, and the Embroiderers Guild of America.
Her pride and joy was her 1966 Ford Mustang, which she proudly exhibited in local car shows.
Judy was beloved by all and will be sorely missed. She is survived by her sister, Luanna Burdick Bleveans (Jake), nephew Lincoln Bleveans (Meredith), niece Melanie Bleveans Holm (David), special friend Richard Ryan and five grand-nieces and nephews.
At her request, no services will be held. Memorials can be made to Monterey County SPCA. Arrangements are being made through Struve and LaPorte funeral home in Salinas.
