Judith Arlene Staal
 

Memorial for Judith Arlene Staal

Born in Lynden, Washington on Jun. 12, 1927
Departed on Sep. 5, 2012 and resided in Sumas, WA.
Visitation: Monday, Sep. 10, 2012
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Service: Tuesday, Sep. 11, 2012
2:00 pm
Cemetery: Monumenta Cemetery

Judith Arlene Staal, age 85, of Sumas, passed away peacefully at home on Wed. September 5, 2012, surrounded by her loving family. Judith was born in Lynden, WA, on June 12, 1927, to Bernard and Nellie (Van Weerthuizen) Van Diest and was a lifetime Whatcom County resident. She was raised on a dairy farm, attended Sumas schools, and as a teenager worked as a grocery store clerk in Sumas, as well as tending to her daily farm chores at home. On April 17, 1946, Judith married Harold Staal in Sumas, where they dairy farmed on the Jones Road until 1979. Together they raised six children, involving them in all aspects of farm life and teaching them the value of faith, responsibility and team work. Judith was a devoted and loving wife, and mother who enjoyed the fellowship of her large extended family and many life-long friends. In retirement, she and Harold traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada, taking many road trips by pick-up and trailer, often caravanning with several other couples. Judith was a charter member of the Sumas Christian Reformed Church.
Preceded in death by her brother, Gary Van Diest, Judith is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, Harold; her children Helen (Paul) Menendez of Blaine, Darlene Staal of Sumner, Beverly Staal of Kirkland, Ronald (Moreen) Staal of Tacoma, Eugene (Gina) Staal of Lynden and Donna (Paul) McDonald of Bainbridge Island; 16 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; siblings Leota Vander Molen and Ruth Van Heukelom of Sumas, Marge (Art) Jessup of California, Bernie (Linda) Van Diest and Alvin (Cindy) Van Diest of Idaho, sister-in-law Gladys Van Diest of Sumas, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation hours will be Monday, Sept. 10, 4 to 7 pm at Gillies Funeral Home. Graveside services will be conducted Tuesday, Sept. 11, 1:00 pm in Monumenta Cemetery followed by a 2 pm memorial service at Sumas Christian Reformed Church, 700 Sumas Ave., Sumas. The family suggests memorials in Judith's name to Whatcom Hospice Foundation, 2901 Squalicum Pkwy., Bellingham, WA 98225 or Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Contributions, J5-200, PO Box 19024, Seattle, WA 98109-1024.