Judith D. Barkley of Jackson, Michigan, formerly of Chelsea. age 84, died at Legacy Assisted Living due to complications from Alzheimer’s Disease on Friday, December 13, 2024. She was born August 27, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Marshall & Marian (Horrack) Major.

Judy met the love of her life, Fred, in 1958. She graduated from EMU with a degree in Occupational Therapy and had a career as an Occupational Therapist, working in outpatient psychiatry at both Mercywood and Foote Hospitals. After retirement, she spent lots of time in the upper peninsula with her husband, Fred, on Caribou Lake, where they built a cottage in 2001. She especially enjoyed landscaping the cottage, her snowball hydrangeas and Japanese weeping pine thrive to this day. Judy also enjoyed running, walking, reading, and spending time with her family. She loved gardening and enjoyed the flowers and vegetables growing at Legacy. Judy enjoyed painting and various craft projects. She and Fred traveled the world, often with their friends. Her favorite trip was one to Africa, taken with her friend Joyce.

Judy volunteered at Faith in Action and at George Long Elementary in Grass Lake as a reading aide in the fourth grade. Each year she would bring each student in her classroom a sand dollar, lovingly collected during the winters spent on Jekyll Island, GA.

On August 19, 1961, Judy married Fredrick Barkley in Allen Park, MI, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her children, Kelly Barkley of Grass Lake; Patrick (Jeanne) Barkley of Downers Grove, IL; 3 grandsons, Trevor (Olivia) Asperger of Grass Lake, Jalen (Courtney Garner) Asperger of Phoenix, AZ, Matthew Elliott of Grass Lake; a great-granddaughter, Sophie Jane Asperger; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements by Cole Funeral Chapel, Chelsea.