Judith “Judy” (Calhoun Garoutte) Darrah
On Monday, July 22, 2019, after a long battle with lung cancer, Judith (Judy) Calhoun Garoutte Darrah, passed away at the age of 79.
Judy was born in Minneapolis, MN on January 21, 1940, to Scott J. II and Elizabeth (Betty) Calhoun Garoutte. Judy graduated from Minneapolis West High School and married Jay Dee Leavitt July 11, 1959. They had two children, Joan and Jeff. After their divorce in 1965, Judy was a devoted single mom, working full-time and raising her children until marrying her second husband, Bert Darrah, June 17, 1978. She became a loving step-parent to Bert’s 4-year-old son, Ed.
Judy’s passion growing up was figure skating. She spent many years with the Minneapolis Figure Skating Club and loved to perform. It was a family affair with Betty sewing costumes and Scott serving as president of the club. She often talked about skating a show at the Stillwater State Prison for the inmates. When she married and became a mother, her love and devotion to her children became her focus in life. Much of her time was spent attending baseball games watching Jeff pitch, as well as traveling to multiple tournaments and going to concerts, listening to Joan play her flute in the band and at football games.
When Bert and Ed entered her life, her love expanded to providing support of Bert’s ever-changing swing-shifts at Kaiser Aluminum and Ed’s soccer games. As her children grew and became parents themselves, her passion moved to her eight grandchildren, Melinda (Leavitt) Hedquist, Daniel and Ryan Leavitt, Cameron and Heather Moore, Austin and Alisa Mattozzi, and Addison Darrah.
Judy held various jobs over the years including as a claims adjuster for Medical Service Corporation, office work for Valley Hospital, and as a church secretary at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church in the Valley. Judy was a regular at the Spokane Valley Eagles, having a good time with friends singing Karaoke. She and Bert enjoyed dancing while members of the Spokane Moose Lodge. She had fun playing cards, going to lunch, dinner or shopping, and drinking coffee with friends and family. Over the years, dogs and cats had become family members as much as the grandkids. Gidget, Brandy, Katie, Mittens, Bailey, and Scooter filled her life with unconditional love.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Scott and Betty, her husband, Bert, and her brother, Scott (Pat) Garoutte. She is survived by her children, Joan, Jeff, and Ed, and her eight grandchildren. Judy held dear extended family including LaVonne (Bohnsack) Garoutte, and Carol (Garoutte) Gates.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 14, 2019, at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 15319 E. 8th Avenue, Spokane Valley, WA at 2:00 PM. Memorials may be made to Hospice House of Spokane, Spokane Valley Food Bank or Meals on Wheels, in memory of Judy and Bert, who were devoted to their ministries.
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