Judith Marie Beals

Judith M. Beals (Crabtree), 82, of Stevensville, passed away on June 28th, 2023, at the Rosetta Assisted Living home in Missoula.

She was born January 10th, 1941, in Columbus, Ohio, the loving daughter of the late Dana E. and Mary A. (Jenkins) Crabtree, Judy was preceded in death by her dear husband Bernard, and a brother, Jerry, leaving behind brother Ron and his wife Deborah, devoted daughter Aimee, her husband Carlin Cavill and granddaughter Callie all of Stevensville, MT and daughter Christa Keel and grandchildren Jesse, Emily, and Mackenzie all of Kansas City, MO area.

Judy grew up in Ohio, a 1959 graduate of John Marshall High School, and met her husband when she was working at a diner in Cleveland. The two of them lived in many places throughout their marriage including Germany, and moved to Montana to be near daughter Aimee after her husband retired.

One of her most passionate interests was the glamour of Hollywood and during her teenage years she had the opportunity to meet many famous stars of the 1950's, and possessed a large album of celebrity photos with interesting stories to tell about each of them.  Her eyes lit up when she spoke of seeing Elvis in concert with her best friend Bonnie, in the beginning of his career when he “still had blonde hair”!

She was a proud and dignified woman who kept a meticulous home, was an outstanding cook, and had the most beautiful handwriting being skilled at calligraphy and sketching.  She would not even consider going out, even to the gas station, without her makeup perfect and her hair done.

Judy taught her daughters manners and etiquette, which she herself exuded everywhere she went.  A city girl at heart, yet she tended a garden in the country like a pro, learned to can her own vegetables, make jams and jellies, and most of all taught her daughters that no matter what life throws you, you can and will be able to face it with grace and resolve, surpassing all negativity to become in the end, a better human being.

Judith’s family expresses their sincere gratitude to the staff of Rosetta Assisted Living Center and Hestia Hospice who helped to care for her in her last few months, and all family and friends who have given words of encouragement during this time of sadness.

A memorial service will be held at the Daly-Leach Memorial Chapel in Hamilton, MT September 8, 2023 at 3 pm.  In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to the Montana Historical Society, in Judith’s memory.