Judith Marie Ryan

I don't regret a thing, I lived a damn good life!

Obituary

Judith Ryan, 78, of Oak Harbor, WA, passed away on October 21, 2025 after a brief battle with lung cancer.

Judy was born on March 21, 1947 to Ralph Chenoweth and Marilyn Walker Chenoweth in St Petersburg, FL. As an infant, Judy moved with her family to Anderson, IN. She attended several schools in Indiana, graduating from Kokomo High School in 1965. In 1970, she met the love of her life, Richard Ryan, and they wed in Nashville, TN. Richard and Judy moved to Northern Wyoming in 1978, where they enjoyed life with their two children, Richelle and Robert, and many friends. They later moved to Colorado to finish raising their children, then traveled the country where they enjoyed boating and time with friends and grandchildren.
Judy worked many jobs in her life, ranging from bail bonds, a prison, a bookstore, and many restaurants, but her favorite was cooking. In later years, Judy loved cooking most for her family and friends. After losing Richard in 2007, Judy moved in with her daughter's family, where she was an essential part of the household. She was an avid reader, a weekly bingo player, a wonderful friend, and a willing participant in all the shenanigans. She had a wicked sense of humor, a sharp wit, and did not suffer fools lightly. She will be dearly missed.

Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Ryan, and her granddaughter, Samantha Lanphear. She is survived by daughter Richelle (Luke) Lanphear and son Robert Ryan, both of Oak Harbor, WA, and "in-laws" Bobbie and Leonard Warehime. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, as well many more who have called her "mom" and "grandma" over the years.

In lieu of a funeral, the family hopes you will smile at the memorial video, and post your own memories and well wishes on this page. 

A word about Mom:

Mommy dearest (just kidding Mom!) was one of a kind. She was a little mouthy, a lot opinionated, and didn't back down. She loved country music, yet her favorite song was "Pour Some Sugar on Me". (We even saw Def Leopard in concert. "I was in the aisle so I could dance!") She loved her kids and her grandkids, but never hesitated to get on them for sounding like elephants on the stairs. Some of her favorite memories were "the Redneck Yacht Club" in Texas, drinking Vegas bombs and playing games with Bobbie and 'Nard (the in-laws), and listening to her husband sing. She wasn't afraid to reinvent herself as the years went by. She tried new things, met new people, and did it all her way. When told she had cancer, she said "if you can't give me 5-6 more years, I don't want anything. I'm not lining other peoples' pockets". She was told she had 6 months to live-she died in 3 weeks, unafraid and ready. "If it's my time to go dance on the hills with Richard, it's my time!" She died like she lived, on her own terms. 

Timeline

Gallery

Videos

Memory wall

Donate