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Judy Kay Gambee, 79, surrounded by her husband and children, peacefully returned back home to our Father in Heaven on Feb. 22, 2023. Our loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother lived a life full of faith, love, service, discipleship, beauty and strength.
Judy was born Oct. 20, 1943 in the little Kennecott Hospital in Ray, Arizona. She was the second of four daughters born to Gardner and Alverta Heaps.
She is survived by husband Kip P. Gambee, her six children Mike, Donna, Tonya, Shannon, Lacy and Stacy, and her three sisters Sherry, Irean and Rhonda. Judy was preceded in death by her parents and granddaughter Elise.
Judy was a 1961 graduate of Ray High School. Shortly thereafter, Judy met Kip Gambee and they were married for time and all eternity in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. She decided it was important that she stay home to raise her family and that she did. Her children were her occupation and her life’s most important work. Over the years she raised six kids, who were her greatest treasures.
She was an incredible wife and wonderful mother whose love was unconditionally shown and freely shared with all fortunate enough to be placed in her orbit. Her resounding strength and unwavering faith during this mortal journey of life is a testament to her 17 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
Mom was never without a book and spent countless hours of her life reading. She particularly loved the scriptures and studied them daily. She was a remarkably talented artist whose oil paintings and quilts can be found in the homes of many whom she loved. She enjoyed baking, long walks, shopping, buying things for others and making everything around her look pretty.
She recognized her blessings came from the Lord and lived the principle, “Because I have been given much, I too must give.” Her generous nature was so beautifully demonstrated by the time and energy she spent preparing the family’s summer home in Utah’s Little Green Valley. Mom and Dad created a wonderful respite from the cares of the world for all those who would visit their “home away from home.” Mom would make sure that the fridge and cupboards were always fully stocked with each of our favorite foods. Then the grandkids would often find new wardrobes laid out and waiting on their beds, with a bag full of gifts, when they would arrive. Days spent in Monroe consisted of visiting, sitting outside on the front patio’s porch swing, starring at beautiful Monroe Mountain, going for walks, picnics up the canyon and drinking our weight in the most delicious shakes from places like Ideal Dairy and Sandy’s Drive-In.
Through her example, Mom taught her children the value of working hard and serving others. Because she knew she could do all things through Christ, the word “can’t” was not in her vocabulary. There was nothing she could not do (which included surviving a tumor in her spine, a terrible head-on collision, a brain tumor and beating breast cancer –just to name a few things she overcame during this earthly life.)
Her love of the Savior and her family were the two most important things to her. She loved Jesus Christ and His Gospel. It was the roadmap for her life. She was an example of goodness to all who had the privilege of knowing her. We are better for having had her in our lives.
The family would like to extend special thanks to all who have prayed, visited, called, sent beautiful messages, brought in meals and so freely shared their love and support during this most difficult time.
There are no words adequate enough to express our gratitude to the staff and caregivers (especially Kathy and Jasmine) at Aviant Hospice for their tender and loving care during Mom’s final months of life.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at 200 Hammond Drive in Kearny, Az.
Assisting the family; Lamont Mortuary of Globe.
