Angels and all hues of blue…Our dear Judy Kay got her very own wings for her sweet soul.
Judy Kay Hoffman, 71, passed away on December 29, 2023 with family and friends by her side.
Judy was born May 21, 1952, in Douglas, WY to Robert and Mary Sullivan. She and her family lived in Douglas where she graduated from Douglas Senior High School in 1970. While in high school she met her soul mate who would become her husband and the love of her life, Russell Hoffman. Russell and Judy were married on March 4, 1971. Judy and Russ enjoyed raising their family, traveling, coaching summer sports, camping, and spending time together.
Judy liked to tell how she had switched lockers with a friend and how the ornery boy next to her would open his locker door too far which would then obstruct her locker. She told of how mad it made her, but not mad enough to not marry that boy later!
Judy loved her 70's music, Dr. Pepper, sweet tea, cake decorating and collecting blue glassware and angels. She also loved playing games with family and friends and was an avid reader. Judy was also very passionate about watching the birds and squirrels outside her window at the feeders every season of the year. Her love for all creatures big and small was what set her apart from others.
She spent her work life balancing between her two favorite hobbies, ceramics and watching movies. She operated several local ceramic shops over the years and taught classes on different painting techniques. She spent several years working at the local video store and collected a large array of movies that she would watch over and over.
Judy also had an eye for photography and enjoyed sharing her techniques with others. One of her friends suggested she start entering some of her photographs into competition at the Wyoming State Fair and Homemakers challenges. She not only won countless awards with her photographic work but was also asked to be behind the camera documenting special occasions for many clients, usually at no charge.
She always encouraged others to enter competitions with her. Always a good sport, she was just as happy if they won as if she would have won herself, even if they beat her out for the ribbon! The state fair was a happy place for Judy & Russ and she always made sure she got to see every exhibit. She could often be found touring everyone she ran across through the photography exhibition during the week of the State Fair.
Crafting and meeting with her Homemakers Club brought Judy so much joy. She was President for 10 years and had several good friends in the group, yet made new friends wherever she went. Everyone in her circle could look forward to some homemade treats during the holiday season, and she made the best wedding mints! Her generosity was unmatched and she truly had a heart of gold. Judy was fully content with the life she had and appreciated every second of it. The bible says that angels dwell in the heavens and we can be certain she arrived there with her beautiful smile and happy attitude.
Judy & Russ always kept a family dog and usually a cat to make memories with their family. The current fur kids included Dilly and Cat, both of which she told stories about to anyone available to listen, and a turtle named Tommy that has silently greeted visitors near the front door for the last decade or so.
Judy was a hugger and was open with her affections and told everyone she cared about that she loved them. It was important to her that everyone felt loved and included. She would lend a helping hand to anyone that could use it and would never expect anything in return.
Judy is survived by her husband, Russell Eugene Hoffman of Douglas WY, and children, Shannon Rae Hoffman Kuchinsky (Steve) of Belgrade MT, Darcy Eugenia Hoffman of Douglas WY and Clint Robert Hoffman (Caitlin) of Gillette WY. Also, her mother, Mary Louisa (Cellan) Sullivan and her brothers and sister (and spouses), including James Robert Sullivan (Connie), Frank Anthony Sullivan (Karen), Lawrence Douglas Sullivan (Valerie), Edward Ray Sullivan (Cindi), Ronald Marquis Sullivan (Jamie), all of Douglas WY, and Lois Anne (Sullivan) Glynn (Clayton) of Wright WY. Additional survivors include Aunt Flora (Alley) Bourne (Russell) of Douglas WY, many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews, all of whom she adored and enjoyed spoiling.
Grandchildren:
Arianna Danae-Smith Hoffman, Kira Jean VanMeter, Rayna Kay VanMeter, Kyler Russell Hoffman, Brooklynn Rose Downs, Anthony Harvey Nolan, Evelyn Kate Nolan
Great Grandchildren:
Aurora Mina Marie Ware, Aria Jean Renea Ware, Azriel Cole Edward Ware, Erika Kay Sorge, Emilynn Fay Sorge, Eridyn James Russell Ware, Elijah Alan Newton Ware
Nieces and Nephews:
Marlo Sullivan, Bridget (Sullivan) McSharry (Ezra), Cammi (Sullivan) Peck, Jill (Krivanec) Fay, Jamie (Krivanec) Hinds (Jeremiah), Trentin Sullivan (Sarah), Tim Sullivan (Nichole), Jody Sullivan (Nonie), Cellan Sullivan, Caleb Sullivan
Extended Family:
Jessica Brianne (Sullivan) Ellis (Ryan), Ronin Craven, Elleigh Ellis, Samantha McSharry, Brittany McSharry, Alexis Peck, Gabriel Peck, Marissa Fay, Chloe Hinds, Allison Hinds, Orion Sullivan, Aurora Sullivan, Ashton Sullivan, Karter Sullivan, Courtney Kershner, Kyla Sullivan
Many friendships were cherished with Judy, several from childhood on, and the list is long. Add to that those who she considered extended family, and the list gets longer yet. They were all kept in the heart of an angel and can be sure she has them all still tucked under a wing.
Predeceased by her dad, Robert Marquis Sullivan, grandparents John Marquis Sullivan, Daisy Dean (Robbins) Sullivan, all of Douglas WY, Harry Douglas Cellan – Glenrock WY, Louisa Amelia (Gonsalves) Alley, Joseph Wesley Alley, both of Douglas WY, niece Erin Michelle Sullivan of Douglas WY and sister-in-law Judy Irene (Harper) Sullivan of Kalispell, MT.
Per her wishes, Judy has been cremated and wants her ashes spread in locations that had special meaning to her and her family.
Contributions to Walker Creek Homemakers would be appreciated, in memory of Judy, at 471 Hwy 59 Douglas WY 82633.
A memorial celebration will be held at the riverbank in summer 2024 with details to be announced.
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