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Her life at the beginning was near idyllic, as Charles’ family in Pennsylvania was extensive, and they all loved and doted on little Judy.
Judy, a bookworm as a child, was a lifelong voracious reader and learner. Her parents added three additional siblings to the family over the next few years. Judy took it upon herself to be a mini-mom, helping care for the new children in the family. She was a natural at taking charge, a true leader. Leadership seemed to be part of her nature, and she continued that responsible personality throughout her life.
Judy’s family moved from Pennsylvania to Spokane, Washington, when she was a high school senior. Regardless of that upheaval, she graduated top of her class, and received scholarships to attend Fort Wright College in Spokane, later transferring to the University of Washington for her senior year.
Judy had a remarkable life that came about from her determination and intellect to make it happen. She was an amazing and dedicated mother to her two daughters, Nellie Green and Natalie Bennett. In addition to being a young wife and new mother she became active in their neighborhood and co-authored the ECHO newsletter in Minneapolis. She was dedicated to making her family and community thrive.
A move to Oklahoma City brought Tom Steele into Judy’s life. She enjoyed a diverse level of fun and exciting times with Tom during their 30 years of marriage. They motorcycled on exploration trips; attended classic film festivals, historical reenactments, concerts, western rodeos, art fairs; traveled; and experienced so much more. There was never a dull moment in her life.
Whatever came Judy’s way, she rose to meet the challenge. Her work ethic was solid. Her command of the English language made her a walking dictionary/thesaurus, a talented writer, as well as a valued corporate employee for both Sonic Industries and Express Personnel Services. After being in the corporate world for so many years, the life of academia, for which Judy was so attuned, called to her. Judy obtained her Master’s Degree in English from Southern Nazarene University and became a professor at MidAmerica Christian University in Oklahoma City.
The level of Judy’s dedication to the written language, literature, and English is indescribable. Thus, the disease that struck her during her continuing productive years was particularly cruel. As someone who loved the English language, appreciated the nuances of speech, and felt verbiage was ‘everything,’ it was most distressing to be robbed of that by a disease that knows no boundaries. Alzheimer’s took our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, friend away from us. May her dear soul be at eternal rest.
Judy is survived by her loving husband, Tom L. Steele Jr., of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; her two loving daughters, Nellie Green of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Natalie Bennett (Brett), of Kellyville, Oklahoma; her loving grandchildren, Levi Bennett, Grace Bennett, and Ezra Bennett of Kellyville, Oklahoma; her loving sister, Cynthia Witherspoon, of Walla Walla, Washington; her loving brother, Lee Zug, of San Francisco, California, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins scattered on the West Coast and in Pennsylvania. She was pre-deceased by her parents, Charles and Norma Zug, and her brother, Brian Zug, and her granddaughter, Alissa Green.
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