Judith (Judy) Katherine Sinder lost her long battle with dementia on Monday, February 10, 2025, after falling and breaking her femur the week prior. She was 85 years old.

Born June 5, 1939, Judy was blessed to live a long, wonderful life. Diagnosed with Rheumatic Fever at a very young age, Judy was bedridden, feared she may die and overheard the doctor say that if she survived, she would likely never have children. Five children, ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren later, she most definitely defied the odds. As her dementia progressed, that time in her life remained a strong memory that she shared over and over. She fondly remembered her defiance by sneaking out of bed to run, jump, skip, and ride her little red wagon. She attributed her good health to her defiance and her strength and resilience carried her through 85 beautiful years.

Living a healthy lifestyle was very important to Judy. Quiet, peaceful morning walks with her dogs, Buddy and Sally, were a favorite part of her day. She found it relaxing and therapeutic, and she loved fresh air! Cleaning and organizing wasn’t a chore, it was something she loved to do. She did sit down occasionally, but her hands were seldom idle. While watching the Cowboys, Mavericks or a good mystery on TV, Judy would be ironing clothes, sewing or knitting. She loved to read and somehow found time to get in a few chapters before going to sleep at night. Hanging laundry out to dry on nice days was a given. Regardless of the weather, she always cracked a window in the bedroom before going to bed each night. Her husband, Gary, loved telling stories of waking up with snow on his head and freezing to death because the window above their bed was cracked open. Over the years, many wonderful memories with family and friends were made outdoors, from backyard BBQs to swimming in the pool to boating on the lake. The family’s favorite pastime was sitting on the back porch with a glass of wine or beer and cheese and crackers. As a family, we spent time laughing, crying, sharing stories and creating a lifetime of memories.

Judy loved her family very much and often said that God blessed her with everything she had ever wished for. Including her last place of residence at Newhaven Assisted Living and Memory Care in Kyle, Texas, she moved a total of 22 times. That was a strong memory for her as well. She was born in Goodland, Kansas and went to grade school in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Judy was introduced to her husband Gary through her sister Joyce’s boyfriend, and later husband, Dick Downing. Gary and Judy raised five children in several cities and states before finally settling in Texas. Over their married life they lived in Kansas, Oregon, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Texas. They moved to and from Texas several times accounting for most of the 22 moves. Judy was resilient and a people person, so she easily adapted and fit in everywhere they moved. Judy and Gary were active in the Lutheran church and belonged to numerous congregations over the years, making lifelong friends along the way. They both loved to sing in the church choir and Judy was an organist as well. While living in Oklahoma, Judy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree at 53, proving once again that she could accomplish anything she put her mind to. She started a career as a licensed counselor for substance abuse, working with recovering alcohol and drug addicts released to a halfway house in downtown Oklahoma City. She truly loved her new career and was a natural at helping people. She was working five blocks from the Alfred P. Murrah Building when the bombing took place. As the blast knocked her out of her seat and the ceiling caved in around her, she gathered herself and went outside to do what she did best...she helped people. Although she was traumatized, she didn’t let it stop her. She picked up the pieces and soldiered on continuing her work as a therapist in Oklahoma City, Dallas and Waco, before finally retiring in Whitney, TX. Just another example of how truly strong she was in life. Even after retiring she didn’t stop. She started a cleaning business with her good friend, Peggy, from church. Her love of cleaning and organizing kept her busy and earned a little extra money for shopping. She loved to shop!

Her love for Jesus, and her involvement in church kept her centered and gave her strength. She knew that the ultimate reward was eternity in heaven and had been ready for Jesus to take her home for quite some time. Now she is home with Jesus and the love of her life, Gary, and all her family and friends she lost along the way. Although she will be missed very much, she is at peace and will be reunited with her family one day when Jesus calls them home.

Judy’s greatest joy truly was her family. She dreamed of having a big family. Judy and Gary were so happy to have five children who grew up to love and support each other and who still love getting together to be silly and have fun! You could always find them sitting on the couch, snuggling together and smiling, as they watched their grown children, and later their grandchildren, sing karaoke, laugh and tell the same stories over and over. Those stories were their treasured memories that never grew old.  

She was a touchstone to many, lending an ear, a shoulder to cry on, and offering sound advice and guidance when needed most. Judy lived life to the fullest, was so very loved and will be greatly missed.

Judy was preceded in death by parents, Ernest & Marcelle Schmidt; sister, Jocelyn (Joyce) Downing and husband, Raymond G. (Gary) Sinder. She is survived by her children, Bradley (Brad) Sinder, Gregory (Greg) and his wife, Kimberly Sinder, Terry Sinder, Stacey Rial and Amy Benitez; ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; nephews, Mark Downing, Mike Downing, David Downing and niece, Jayne Sconzert.

There will be a Celebration of Life service for Judy, the location and date to be announced.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at New Haven for their loving care over the last six years. Special thanks to San Gabriel hospice and Serenity hospice for their loving care of Judy.

If you would like to honor Judy’s memory with a donation, please consider donating to: Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org.