1968
Judy
2023
Judy Grumney Ziels
April 24, 1968 — February 8, 2023
On February 8, Judy Grumney Ziels, age 54, peacefully passed at home with family. Her three-year fight with cancer not only was a testament to but cemented her commitment with community, her radical hope, and her inspiring vulnerability.
Judy was born April 24, 1968, in Cincinnati, Ohio to David and Carole Grumney, a younger sibling to Dan and Laura. When she was three, the family moved to Westlake Village, California. There, Judy enjoyed days at the beach, camping with family, and playing softball with her father as coach. She graduated from Westlake High School and attended the University of Puget Sound, establishing her home in the Pacific Northwest.
At UPS, Judy attended the Pacific Rim travel study program where Judy became Judy. She was exposed to new cultures, gained a deepening understanding of the world, and developed lifelong friendships, including meeting her husband Jeff. They married in 1994 and she completed her nursing degree in 1996. Together they served two years in the Peace Corps in Suriname before returning to Washington.
With her composed, eloquent style and the best posture in the room, Judy touched many in her 25 years in Bellingham. She was committed to and bridged many communities, compassionately listening and elevating voices in every room. Judy shared the daily moments of raising kids with her Columbia neighbors, was a dedicated parishioner and school-mom of Assumption Parish, and worked as a professional. Her family’s ‘flag out’ parties brought community bridging into her backyard.
In Judy’s public health career, she focused on early childhood development and advocated for systemic change to improve the lives of families farthest from opportunity. Judy was inspired by her justice-minded colleagues and community members, continuing to work from her home hospital bed through her last days.
Judy was preceded in death by her father David Grumney and survived by her husband Jeff Ziels, children Henry and Louli Ziels, mother Carole Grumney, brother Daniel (Tina) Grumney, sister Laura (Robert) Almada, and so many loving relatives and friends.
Please celebrate Judy by contributing to:
1. Judy Ziels Memorial Scholarship Fund (Chuckanut Health Foundation):
http://bit.ly/3IeV1Yx
2. Assumption School Foundation:
https://school.assumption.org
3. Native-led Whiteswan Environmental:
https://www.whiteswanenvironmental.org
A community vigil and time of sharing will be held on Sunday, February 19th at 5pm at Church of the Assumption, 2116 Cornwall Ave. in Bellingham. A Funeral Mass will be held at Church of the Assumption on Monday, February 20th at 1pm with reception following at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal (same venues as her wedding), 355 Harris Ave. in Bellingham.
Mass will be livestreamed here: https://fb.watch/iPChBKsRIB/
Judy was born April 24, 1968, in Cincinnati, Ohio to David and Carole Grumney, a younger sibling to Dan and Laura. When she was three, the family moved to Westlake Village, California. There, Judy enjoyed days at the beach, camping with family, and playing softball with her father as coach. She graduated from Westlake High School and attended the University of Puget Sound, establishing her home in the Pacific Northwest.
At UPS, Judy attended the Pacific Rim travel study program where Judy became Judy. She was exposed to new cultures, gained a deepening understanding of the world, and developed lifelong friendships, including meeting her husband Jeff. They married in 1994 and she completed her nursing degree in 1996. Together they served two years in the Peace Corps in Suriname before returning to Washington.
With her composed, eloquent style and the best posture in the room, Judy touched many in her 25 years in Bellingham. She was committed to and bridged many communities, compassionately listening and elevating voices in every room. Judy shared the daily moments of raising kids with her Columbia neighbors, was a dedicated parishioner and school-mom of Assumption Parish, and worked as a professional. Her family’s ‘flag out’ parties brought community bridging into her backyard.
In Judy’s public health career, she focused on early childhood development and advocated for systemic change to improve the lives of families farthest from opportunity. Judy was inspired by her justice-minded colleagues and community members, continuing to work from her home hospital bed through her last days.
Judy was preceded in death by her father David Grumney and survived by her husband Jeff Ziels, children Henry and Louli Ziels, mother Carole Grumney, brother Daniel (Tina) Grumney, sister Laura (Robert) Almada, and so many loving relatives and friends.
Please celebrate Judy by contributing to:
1. Judy Ziels Memorial Scholarship Fund (Chuckanut Health Foundation):
http://bit.ly/3IeV1Yx
2. Assumption School Foundation:
https://school.assumption.org
3. Native-led Whiteswan Environmental:
https://www.whiteswanenvironmental.org
A community vigil and time of sharing will be held on Sunday, February 19th at 5pm at Church of the Assumption, 2116 Cornwall Ave. in Bellingham. A Funeral Mass will be held at Church of the Assumption on Monday, February 20th at 1pm with reception following at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal (same venues as her wedding), 355 Harris Ave. in Bellingham.
Mass will be livestreamed here: https://fb.watch/iPChBKsRIB/
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Judy Grumney Ziels, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Vigil
Sunday, February 19, 2023
Starts at 5:00 pm (Pacific time)
Church of the Assumption
Funeral Mass
Monday, February 20, 2023
Starts at 1:00 pm (Pacific time)
Church of the Assumption
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