Obituary of Judith Ann Blakeslee

Judith Flanigan Blakeslee passed away peacefully April 3rd 2023. Born in Tacoma, in 1937, to Jane and Edward (Ed) Flanigan. The oldest, and only daughter, brothers Brian, John and Tom (Marie). She often spoke of her idyllic childhood between Ballard and Tacoma, playing dolls all day on the beach in Ballard with her childhood friends, and while in Tacoma, playing with her Flanigan cousins that she remained close to her whole life. Judy’s father Ed was 7th of 9 children who were orphaned when their mother’s dress was caught on fire (Tacoma). This tremendous tragedy made the Flanigan children very close and was a big part of how they lived their lives, family first. Judy married Bill Blakeslee (Tacoma) and, though the marriage didn’t last, they had four children together, Jane Hearne, Julie (Bob) Barber, Douglas, and Dean Jeffery (Laura).

Her working career began when her children were young, starting as a night clerk at the Doric Motor Inn, then the Lakewood Motor Inn. Her big break came when Sister Marie Bernard Howard (one of the last nun department heads at St. Joe’s) hired her for the appointment desk in the x-ray department, later known as Diagnostic Imaging, where she worked for 27 years before retiring. Her work ethic was strong and she had tremendous pride in working at Saint Joseph’s Hospital.

Judy is preceded in death by her parents, brother John, son’s Doug and Jeff (Laura), and granddaughter Jessica Blakeslee Thuney.

She is survived by brothers, Brian, and Thomas (Marie), daughter’s Jane Hearne and Julie (Bob) Barber, Grandchildren, Chris, Tiffaney, Gardner Hensill (Christa), Nolan (Holly) Barber, Samantha Stubbs, Kelly Barber, James, Robert, and Elly,10 greatgrandchildren and 1 great greatgrandchild, only niece on the Flanigan side, Teal, her lifelong friend Margie Steffens, many Blakeslee nieces and nephews, friends and her many cousins, Engstrom, Flanigan and Flannigan. Confident that she continues to watch over us as she always has, we regretfully say good-bye.

God’s Peace Mom, until we meet again.