Marla's Memories

I have many fond memories of Judy Pauly. The first time I met Judy was in 1980 right after I moved back into the ward. At the time she wasn't active in church, but she came to my home as my visiting teacher. I remember that she was pregnant - probably with Derrick. I was also pregnant with my Derek so we had something in common. After that one time, our church paths never crossed again until a few years later.
After the ward was divided was when I really got to know Judy. She was called as the Young Women's (YW) President and I was the Mia Maid Adviser. We worked closely together in YW. This is where I saw Judy blossom. Her testimony really grew as she worked with the YW of the ward. Judy was so creative and full of ideas. It was always fun to see what ideas she would come up with and how she was going to implement them. Our ward's big Pioneer Treck was one of her projects that she had a huge hand in. I think about all the hours and hours she spent doing YW and RS (Relief Society) and how supportive Joe was of her.
When I was called to be the RS President, Judy was the secretary. We spent endless hours together talking, laughing, and planning together. I relied on her heavily for her input, her talents and her creativity.
She was assigned to be my visiting teacher off and on over the last 5 years. She was so fun. She would come to my house and sometimes spent 2 or 3 hours just visiting about church, family and life in general. Sometimes she would be at my house late at night and Joe would usually end up calling to check on her - just making sure she was okay.
On more than one occasion, if Judy heard that all my kids were coming home at the same time, she would bring us tons of food to help out. I got so embarrassed about it that I'd try to keep it a secret from her. When I pleaded with her not to do it, she joyfully said that she wanted to, because Joe got fed better when she took food to others. She was always thinking of others and wanting to help in any way she could.
There were numerous times when she baled me out of situations when I needed table decorations for a wedding reception etc. She was always there with her big box of decorations and ideas and could whip up something in a jiffy.
Judy loved to do crafts and sold them at Christmas bazaars. Every year for Christmas and on my birthday she would bring me one of her craft items. One year at Christmas time I decided to display them all on my piano. I had over a dozen Christmas dolls, Santas and wall hangings that she had made. I love them all and will treasure them always.
Joe and Judy would go to dinner with me and Steve. No matter where we ate the food was usually good but the company was even better. Judy had such a bubbly personality that she and the others always kept the evening lively.
A few summers ago we went on a fishing trip with Joe and Judy to Campbell River, Canada. We has so much fun on that trip that we decided to go again the next summer along with Karl and Kathy and each of our families. We have some great memories from those two trips. If I remember right, on one of those trips Judy caught the biggest salmon and had to remind us quite often - good naturedly of course.
Our two families also went on a trip to Yellowstone National Park together. We spent 5 or 6 days at my parent's home, ranch and the Park - fishing, gold mining, and just sightseeing. Of course it was always a party with Judy and Joe and the crazy things that happened.
I have to laugh when I think about the time we floated the Columbia River in canoes. Joe and Judy had just put their canoe in the water with all their food, phones, clothes and cameras. They had only been in the canoe 3 or 4 minutes when Judy decided to splash Joe with the canoe paddle. Joe ducked and leaned to the same side she was splashing from and in an instant the canoe capsized and before they knew it they were in the water and so was everything in the canoe. Judy was laughing hysterically over it - Joe not so much! Those of us on the bank watching it all happen couldn't quit laughing. Joe and Judy put it all back together and off they went - happy as a (soaking wet) clam.
One thing that I always noticed about Judy and Joe was that they were always holding hands. It didn't matter if they were walking around or if they were just sitting. You knew she loved him and he loved her. Judy told me several times that she'd tell the kids, "I love you very much, but your Dad comes first." Now that is true love.
I know Judy had a strong testimony of the gospel and she bore it often. She loved serving in the church and helping others. She was such a good friend and example to me. I loved her like a sister. We had some great times together and I will always treasure those wonderful memories.
--Marla Price

*editors note - I know this one is very long, but I just couldn't leave any of it out. Mom talked of Marla a lot and they were the best of friends. Marla gave our family a true treasure in sharing her memories with us.