Judith Guthrie

Judith "Judy" Guthrie, 81, beloved Stepmother, Sister, Daughter, Aunt, Great Aunt, and Stepmother-in-law, passed away peacefully at home after a brief illness on October 20, 2023. She was born on October 7, 1942, in Spartanburg, SC, to Donald Clifford Kerstetter and Elaine Ziegler Kerstetter (Dennis). She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother-in-law Bruce M. Peterson, and her husband Dennis Leroy Good. She is survived by her sister Joan Peterson (Kerstetter), best friend and partner Joe Stiegler, her cat Hannah, stepsons Derek (Cherise) Good and Jered Good, niece Emily Peterson MD and her husband Ben Steward, step-granddaughter Brittany Good, great nieces Mia and Adrianna Steward.

Judy graduated from Lewistown High School, Lewistown PA in 1960. She received her BA in Psychology at Clark University, Worcester MA in 1964. She received her Masters in Social Work at Smith College, Northampton MA in 1966. She was accepted into, and completed, a three year post graduate training program in Gestalt Therapy, at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland Ohio. She was the Clinical Director at Center for Individual and Family Services in Mansfield, Ohio and later at Villa de Esperanza in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Judy served as the Director of Professional Services at Family and Children's Services, Inc. in Albuquerque NM and she later retired as Clinical Director at Outcomes inc. in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2007.

How do you even try to summarize a life lived as rich and fully as Judy did? Some of her many hobbies included working in her garden, cooking, weaving, reading, sailing, hiking and kayaking. She enjoyed spending time with friends. Practicing Buddhism, meditating, going to the opera, and visiting museums. She was a lifelong learner and student. She was fun, vibrant and full of life. She had a sense of adventure and was a great listener.

Judy and Dennis "escaped the gray dome" of Ohio in 1991 and they loved their lives together under the sunny blue skies of New Mexico. The mountains, the weather, the people and the culture. After first living in Carlsbad NM, they ultimately bought their home in Albuquerque NM in March of 1994.

After the passing of Dennis in 2004, Judy continued to stay active. And through her involvement in The Library of Congress Veterans History Project she was lucky enough to find another partner to spend the final phase of her life with, her best friend Joe. They travelled, shared meals, went on hikes and went out in their kayaks together. It was beautiful to see what they shared. She will be profoundly missed by her family and friends.

It was Judy's wish that there not be a service. Please feel free to share some special memories, photos and stories of your memories of Judy.