Judy Juanita Clark

Judy passed away on January 7, 2023, at St. Helena surrounded by her loving family. Born in

Weaverville, California on March 11, 1947, in the middle of a snowstorm to Pauline Cox (Owens) and Jesse Cox. She was welcomed home by siblings Josephine, Jesse, Jimmy, Joe, and Janie. Later they all welcomed another sister named Jeanette. The family worked as a group of farm workers and eventually settled in Healdsburg, California where she finished school and moved to the big city of Santa Rosa.

She met her first husband, Bill Funk in Santa Rosa and they welcomed their daughter Kyra, born in 1970.During their marriage they traveled while Bill was in the Army. Later, Judy met her second husband Robert Clark also in Santa Rosa and they moved to Fort Bragg in 1974 and welcomed their son Kaleb in 1977. They had many adventures in Fort Bragg and eventually moved to Ukiah in 1989.

Judy was blessed with three grandchildren she adored, Logan, Seven and Katelyn. Judy was so proud of her grandchildren. When she talked of what her grandchildren meant to her, she said “My grandkids remind me not to take things too seriously. They show me how to be present in the moment. They are willing to learn everyday- anything that is new excites them. That’s how I want to be. I want to learn something new any chance I get. My grandchildren inspire me and give me energy I did not know I had.” Judy had countless friends and as she told people, “I have many friends, but mostly I have friends I have not met yet.” Judy had friendships that spanned her entire lifetime and even those who just met her felt as if they had loved and known her a lifetime. Judy spent the last 32 years of her life at her little plot of heaven in Ukiah. She was a hard-working woman who took care of her property mostly on her own after she was widowed in 2001. She grew a garden, had incredible flowers and trees and cultivated the most peaceful and spiritual place many had ever been. She created healing tools that will carry on in the hands of her family and friends and others.

The last four years of Judy’s life her wishes finally came true. Judy once wrote that what she wanted most of all in life was to have love and acceptance. She wanted to have someone stick with her through everything and never doubt her. Her wish was to have a cane in one hand and the love of her life in another. She found that love and acceptance with Tom Lesher. Every person who saw Judy and Tom together would say that they had never seen Judy so happy, and that is the truth. Judy’s family is blessed to have witnessed their love and her happiness. They shared more love and had a strong bond that spanned well past their four years together and will continue on until they meet again.

A memorial service will be held at a future date.