Obituary of Judy Lynn (Woods) DeBok

Judy Lynn (Woods) DeBok passed away at her Santa Cruz home, with her family at her bedside on January 13, 2014 at 6:30 PM. She was born in San Luis Obispo to Frank Vernon and Fern Emily Woods, on March 20, 1948, making her a proud fifth generation Californian. Judy and her family moved to Santa Cruz in 1960, attended Bayview Elementary, Mission Hill Jr. High, graduating from Santa Cruz High School in 1966. She began her career as a legal secretary for Attorney Herman Mager in San Jose and as an escrow officer for Western Title Company. Judy met her husband to be, George in 1974, a year after she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and together bravely fought M.S. for the next 40 years. Judy and George married at the Four Seasons Chapel in Santa Cruz on January 18, 1975. Judy's courage, coupled with her mental and physical attitude never allowed her disability to overshadow the love and strength that she consistently displayed for her family. Knowing that her time functioning normally was limited, she made sure she took advantage of every opportunity available. Judy travelled the world by air, boat and car and lived her life the only way (according to her) you could - in the moment. When she was forced to slow life down, she gladly did so by keeping her home in order and creating excuses to have a party. From the legendary annual Christmas Galas, St. Partick's Day Feasts, the Super Bowl and Luau's, there was never a detail or expense spared. She loved her friends and wanted them around her at every opportunity. Her passion for animals also was a gift; care and concern for the smallest and most helpless creatures remained a constant in Judy's life. Some may recall the days when friends would refer to the house as "the barn" because of all of the animals Judy would take under her wing and love as if they were her blood. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, George DeBok of Santa Cruz, her daughter and son-in-law, Shaena and Jason Strubing and their children; Madi, Joya, and Natalya, all of Santa Cruz. Judy also leaves her son, Brandon DeBok of Los Angeles, her sister, Sharon Human of Dayton, Nevada, and stepson Tony DeBok of Marin, along with a host of loving friends and extended family. With a proud early California Pioneer family heritage and a love for her dear town of Santa Cruz, Judy leaves us with fond memories that will last forever. Judy's family would like to especially thank Annabelle, Barbara and Sue from Dominican Home Health Care, whose loving assistance in aiding all of us and Judy, through this transition, and into her new journey. In typical fashion, Judy requested to have a party, a Luau at the family home. Details are forthcoming but the family has chosen her birthday weekend, March 22, 2014. If you would like more information or would like to contact the family, please contact George DeBok via email at sirdebo@gmail.com. If you would like to share your thoughts, and prayers online, and light a candle for Judy, please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com. Any kind acts of charity may be made in her memory to The Santa Cruz SPCA ( spcasc.org/) or to the Multiple Sclerosis Society Northern California Chapter ( www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/can/index.aspx).