August 23, 1951 - July 30, 2023
After many heroic battles, Judy, fought her last one on July 30, 2023 and was pulled into the embrace of her Loving Lord.
Born in Springfield, Illinois, her parents, Emil and Ruth Augustine moved to Colorado when Judy was one. Apparently missing Colorado native status by 12 months led to her becoming a non-stop chatterbox, as both her older sister Jeanne and younger brother Chris can testify. Judy graduated from Mapleton High School in Thornton in 1969. Driving a milk truck helped her cover tuition at the University of Colorado- Boulder. Having changed majors four times, she finally settled on Biology as a major, though Genetics was her passion.
During her college years she was deeply involved with the college group at South Presbyterian Church, serving in several leadership roles. Following graduation from CU, she became an intern with Youth for Christ- Campus Life, where she met another Biology major, Paul Jorden who was in his final year of seminary in Chicago. After a long-distance courtship via letter-writing, Judy and Paul married on July 22, 1978 in Denver. She and Paul were asked to start a Campus Life ministry to high school students in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park which she co-led for 5 years. After Paul was ordained as a parish pastor, Judy and a neighbor began a business of liquidating Estates. Their first son, Noel Christian was born in 1981 and Courtney Paula followed in 1983.
Judy was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus in 1989 and was treated for two years with chemotherapy. Judy’s grace and grit was seen by all who knew her during that time. In 1997, Judy and Paul moved to Westminster, Colorado to re-start Family in Christ Community Church and they continued to serve there until Paul’s retirement in 2022. For years Judy spearheaded mission efforts for that Christian Community, tutoring at-risk kids one year and sending 1000 mosquito nets to Africa the next. During that time Judy also received her Master of Education degree in Vocational Education and began work as a Career Counselor at Front Range Community College.
Her greatest joy came with the arrival of her four grandchildren. Micah and Emma Rich, Tristan and Oliver Jorden. She loved reading pop-up books to them, inviting them to tea parties, and using scarves and beads as costumes for all the stories they acted out together, She also thrilled with traveling with them to Florida, New Orleans, and Utah.
In 2017 Judy had a kidney removed due to cancer and began home peritoneal dialysis, which allowed her and Paul to continue to travel. During the last year she took two extensive road trips in her wheelchair, sticking her toes in both the Atlantic and the Pacific. She was so very grateful for the wonderful care she received from the many specialists who helped her along the way.
On Sunday, July 30 she was home when she took her final breath, having celebrated her 45th wedding anniversary the week prior. She is survived by her husband, Paul, her two children, Noel and Courtney, her four grandchildren, her sister, Jeanne Handwerk and brother, Chris Augustine.
A memorial service celebrating her life and mourning her loss will occur at Family in Christ Community Church, 11355 N. Sheridan Blvd, Westminster, CO on Saturday, August 12th at 11am.
Should you wish to make a donation in her name, she suggests Food for Hope, which delivers children from hunger in Adams County, Colorado (foodforhope.net) or Jesus on Colfax, a ministry of presence to the poor on East Colfax (jesusoncolfax.org)
