Judy Peeples

April 20, 1944 - July 15, 2019

A loving wife, mom, sister and friend, Judy Kay (Koch) Peeples passed away in her Port Orchard home on July 15, 2019, surrounded by family. Judy was born in Wenatchee on April 20, 1944. After graduating valedictorian of her class at Wenatchee High School, she went on to major in chemistry and education at the University of Washington. It was there, at a dorm mixer, that Judy met Clinton Ray Peeples. The two married on June 18, 1965, at First Baptist Church in Seattle. After college, Judy briefly taught elementary school in Kirkland. She then left the classroom to raise two children, Gregg and Lynne, in the family's Redmond home. She tirelessly supported her kids' academic, athletic, spiritual and social pursuits, served as a member of the PTSA and taught Sunday school at Faith Lutheran Church. In 2007, Judy and Clint moved to Port Orchard, where she enjoyed watching the hustle and bustle of squirrels, hummingbirds, deer and other wildlife out the windows and frequented favorite Puget Sound picnic spots. Judy is remembered for her huge heart, easy laugh, quick wit, thoughtfulness and creativity. Her empathetic ear was always ready to listen; her wisdom was always available to tap. She adorned childhood birthday cakes with Christmas ornaments — a Santa swinging a bat meant a cake frosted with a full baseball diamond. She sewed clothes and Halloween costumes by hand. She embroidered dish towels. Judy always filled the Peeples' home with well-appointed personal decorations — from duck and dragonfly figurines to footstools that went by the names of Lars and Wilbur — and beautified the yard with barrels of artfully arranged flowers. Piano playing, painting and pinochle were among Judy's other many skills. (An ongoing family pinochle rivalry would typically result in the women beating the men — or at least that's how Lynne will remember it.) Ocean beaches, craft fairs, and all furry and feathered creatures were among her loves. Judy is preceded in death by brothers, Daryl Koch and Barney Koch; and beloved cats, Orey, Sammy, Simon, Misty, Boris, Bjorn and Ivan. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Clint; brother, Ronald Koch; son, Gregg; daughter, Lynne; and best friend and college roommate, Mary Lowry. May she live on in our hearts. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Judy's name to Doctors Without Borders, ASPCA or your favorite charity. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, August 24th, at 1 PM, in Clint and Judy's Port Orchard home. If interested in attending, please contact Clint for directions: [email protected] For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun? And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered? Only when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance. - Kahlil Gibran