Judith Appenzeller

We are heartbroken at the loss of our beloved wife and mother, Judith Appenzeller, 90, who passed away on March 29, two weeks after a serious stroke. She was a vibrant figure until the end, still caring for her husband Otto, 97, and deeply involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren.

Born in Sydney, Australia, Judy never lost her Australian accent or her devotion to her native country. She attended medical school at the University of Sydney, where she met Otto, a refugee from Europe. They married immediately after graduation, and following the custom of the time, she set aside her career for his and moved with him first to London, then to the US. After stints in Boston and Cincinnati, she, Otto, and their three sons settled in Albuquerque in 1967. There, with the quiet determination that she displayed throughout life, she resumed her career as a pathologist. She studied at night and on weekends for the foreign medical graduates' exam, passed it, and completed her medical residency. She joined a group practice serving the Presbyterian Hospital system and became known for her diagnostic skill, her conscientiousness, and her kindness to her colleagues and the lab staff.

Stoic and uncomplaining, she juggled her demanding career with a demanding home life, devoting herself to her sons and husband when she wasn't at the hospital. She was intensely busy but found time to give her sons loving care and wise guidance, keep up a lively correspondence with her sisters in Australia, explore the Sandia and Sangre de Cristo mountains with her family, and care for many generations of dogs.

After she retired, new passions emerged: She played the harp, catalogued wildflowers and tended orchids, and read voraciously. She also dedicated herself to the Rio Grande Nature Center, where she became a mainstay of the garden committee, happily toiling among the flower beds. And she spent as much time as she could with her grandchildren, radiating delight and affection when she saw them or spoke with them by phone.

Judith is survived by her husband of 69 years, Otto; her sons Tim, Gus, and Peter; and grandchildren Rachel, Jack, Sam, Danica, Rose, and Charlie.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish can make a donation to the Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center, https://www.rgnc.org/index.php/product/donation/