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JUDY BETHEL
Born: Aug 24, 1943
Date of Passing: Mar 11, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryJUDY BETHEL
Judy Bethel, a community activist, public servant, devoted wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on March 11, 2025.
Born in Winnipeg on August 24, 1943, she attended Churchill High School and then the University of North Dakota, where she made lifelong friendships and met her "boyfriend" Bruzz, who became her husband in a happy marriage that lasted over 60 years.
Settling in Edmonton in 1970, Judy taught high school physical education before becoming a successful investment broker. Actively involved in her community league and a determined advocate for Northeast Edmonton, Judy was enticed into politics. She served as City Councillor from 1986 to 1992 and was elected as the Member of Parliament for Edmonton East from 1993 to 1997.
In retirement, Judy travelled the world, adored her grandchildren and made annual trips to the solitude of Ajo, Arizona where her and Bruzz made new friends and explored the desert. They spent their last years together living in Victoria and Sidney, BC where they were close to family.
Judy was smart, kind, determined and gentle. She always stood up for those who couldn't or wouldn't. She loved her country, her community and her family and demonstrated that commitment every day.
Judy is survived by her husband Bruzz, children, Marnie (Darin) and John, grandchildren, Hannah and Ceili and her siblings, Tia and Peter. She will be dearly missed by her family and her many friends.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 22, 2025
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
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I met Judy at the University of North Dakota (UND) in the fall of 1962 when we both lived in Davis Hall, along with other Canadians - mostly from Winnipeg. We reconnected decades later when Judy and Bruzz moved from Edmonton to Saanich eight or nine years ago ... time flies! Judy joined the Commonwealth Place Book Club with my encouragement and made good friends; she also joined the pickle ball group and confessed that she had more fun playing pickle ball than discussing novels that tended to be on the serious side. Judy was always fun - they had walks throughout southern Vancouver Island, sometimes with Bruzz and Peter as well but mostly just together. During the covid stay-at-home time, we began monthly zoom visits with mutual friend, Beverley (Moon) Baggley and I learned much from them as they shared a personal philosophy: The Four Agreements. Judy taught me how to "let go" and that sometimes a person has to "walk away" ... both hard lessons. She also reminded me that I'd been at her and Bruzz's December wedding more than sixty years ago - that's a lot of passage of time and I had to admit that I'd forgotten ... she showed me a photo! Judy and Bruzz had such adventurous lives with lots of fun - their shared sense of humor was always inclusive and whenever Peter and I were together with them, we always went home feeling a notch lighter. We shared love of true friendship and I feel so lucky to have shared the time we had together! Starla Anderson Victoria, B.C. - Posted by: Starla Anderson (friend) on: Apr 24, 2025
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I was very sorry to hear of Judy Bethel’s passing - Judy was a dedicated public servant, both in city Council in Edmonton and in our Parliament. I had the pleasure of knowing Judy through family and my wife Shirley, Ross and I were glad we were able to have lunch a few years ago in Victoria and catch up. My deep condolences to all the family, including Bruzz, John and Marnie and grandchildren, as well as her many, many friends. - Posted by: Bill Tieleman (Related through marriage) on: Mar 29, 2025
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Sending my condolences to everybody in the family. I haven’t seen Judy for a couple of years, but I know how she was committed to her family and doing good things in this world. - Posted by: Shirley Ross (Cousin in law) on: Mar 22, 2025
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Judy was a beautiful sister in law. I was so happy to visit her & Bruzz in December. Sincere Condolences to Bruzz, Marni, John, Hannah, Ceili & Tia. Love, Donna Mowat. - Posted by: Donna Mowat (Sister in law.) on: Mar 22, 2025