Judy Ann Huizinga

In Loving Memory of Judy Ann (Gorringe) Huizinga

There are people who are remembered for what they accomplished, and there are people who are remembered for how they made others feel.

Judy Ann (Gorringe) Huizinga was one of those rare people whose greatest gift was making every person she met feel like they mattered.

Whether you knew her for fifty years or for five minutes, Judy had an extraordinary ability to make you feel welcomed, accepted, and genuinely loved. She built lifelong friendships with remarkable ease, not because she tried to impress people, but because she saw the good in them. She listened without judgment, laughed easily, loved deeply, and if you ever needed help, she was already on her way before you had a chance to ask twice. That was simply who she was.

Judy passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior on July 6, 2026, at the age of 84. She was born on May 19, 1942, to Read and Ellen Gorringe. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bruce Huizinga, with whom she shared a lifetime of love, partnership, and family. She is survived by her son, Mike Huizinga; her daughter, Kris Wilkinson; and her five treasured grandchildren: Anthony Wilkinson, Parker Wilkinson, Evan Huizinga, Blake Huizinga, and Annika "Layne" Huizinga.

While Judy worked throughout her life as a dispatcher for the Idaho State Police, a bookkeeper for Big O Tires, and helped operate Village Sports Den with her dear friend Patty Wright, the role she treasured most was being a wife, mother, and grandmother.

Her creativity was woven into nearly everything she did. She was an accomplished knitter, a talented toll painter, and a gifted craftswoman who could see beauty where others saw something worn or forgotten. Together with her dear friend Bev Grant, she built a furniture reupholstery business that transformed old furniture into beautiful pieces once again. Later, she partnered with her friend Pam Free to open a toll painting and craft store across from the Racquetball Club in Burley. Their shop became more than a place to buy supplies. It became a place where friendships were formed, creativity was encouraged, and countless people discovered talents they never knew they possessed. Judy found great joy not only in creating beautiful things herself, but in teaching others to do the same.

If there was one constant throughout Judy's life, it was that people always came first. Her children knew that no matter what life brought, their mom would be the first person they wanted to call. She was the steady rock they could always depend on, the voice of encouragement during difficult times, and the first to celebrate life's victories. If someone needed help, Judy never hesitated. She simply showed up.

Later in life, Judy made one of the easiest and most meaningful decisions of her life when she moved to Boise to be closer to her son Mike and his children, Evan, Blake, and Layne. She wanted to be part of their everyday lives, not just the milestones. Whether it was sharing meals, attending school events, celebrating birthdays, or simply being Grandma, those years became some of the most treasured of her life. The love between Judy and her grandchildren was extraordinary, and each of them carries a piece of her gentle spirit with them today.

Judy's Christian faith was the foundation of her life. She believed that loving others was one of God's greatest callings, and she lived that belief every day. She never sought recognition for her kindness because helping others was simply part of who she was.

During the final three years of her life, Judy lived at Quail Ridge Assisted Living. It did not take long for her to become the heart of that community. Residents and staff alike were drawn to her warmth, joyful spirit, quick sense of humor, and genuine love for people. Before long, everyone simply knew her as "Grandma," a name reserved for her alone. It reflected the comfort, wisdom, and unconditional love she shared so freely with everyone around her.

As Judy's health declined, the relationships she had built became even more evident. The staff at Quail Ridge grieved alongside her family because they loved her too. Her caregivers from Heritage Home Health, especially nurses Amy and Paige, cared for Judy with extraordinary compassion and became an extension of her family.

Each week, hospice chaplain Emily Victor and counselor Renee spent time with Judy, often gathering residents together to visit and play games. Judy had a way of making every person feel like they belonged, often giving them affectionate nicknames and finding something that made them smile. Emily later shared a story that perfectly captured Judy's heart. During one gathering, another resident living with dementia struggled to follow the game and communicate with the group. Without hesitation, Judy welcomed her into the conversation with patience, humor, and kindness, making sure she felt included instead of isolated. Emily said she was deeply moved watching Judy create a genuine connection with someone she had only just met. Even in the final chapter of her own life, Judy's instinct was to notice the person who needed a friend and make them feel loved.

In the final months of Judy's life, our family witnessed something that brought us tremendous comfort. We always knew what she meant to us, but we began to see what she meant to everyone else. The nurses, caregivers, chaplain, counselors, staff, and residents who surrounded her didn't care for Judy simply because it was their job. They loved her. They laughed with her, cried with her, played games with her, called her "Grandma," and mourned alongside us as her health declined. Seeing the depth of those relationships reminded us that Mom had spent her entire life doing what she had always done best: making people feel seen, valued, and loved.

Some people leave behind accomplishments. Judy left behind relationships.

Her greatest legacy lives not in the jobs she held or the things she created, but in the countless lives she touched through her kindness, compassion, unwavering faith, and genuine love for others. She taught everyone around her that the greatest measure of a life is not what we accumulate, but how we make others feel.

Our family finds peace in knowing that she has been reunited with Bruce, her family, and the many friends that passed before her, and we rejoice in the promise that one day we will be together again.

"Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:23

A Note from Mike and Kris

Mom,

There are no words that can fully express the loss we feel or the ache in our hearts. While saying goodbye is one of the hardest things we have ever had to do, we are overwhelmed with gratitude that God chose you to be our mother.

Thank you for teaching us, not only with your words, but by the way you lived your life. You showed us how to love unconditionally, how to care for people without expecting anything in return, how to find joy in life's simplest moments, and how to make every person feel valued. You taught us that kindness is never wasted, that friendships are one of life's greatest blessings, and that helping others is simply what you do.

You were our biggest supporter, our safe place, and the first person we wanted to call, whether life brought exciting news or difficult moments. No matter what was happening, we always knew you would be there.

Your influence reaches far beyond the two of us. We see you in your grandchildren every day. We hear your laughter in family gatherings, we remember your humor when we need a smile, and we find ourselves trying to love people the way you loved them. We know that is the greatest gift you could have left us.

Although our hearts are broken, they are also full. Full of memories, full of gratitude, and full of the love you poured into our lives for so many years. We will carry you with us every single day. In the choices we make, in the way we treat others, in the traditions we continue, and in the stories we tell, you will always be part of who we are.

Until we are together again, know that you were deeply loved, and you always will be.

Love always,

Mike and Kris

Funeral services for Judy will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Wilks Funeral Home (211 W. Chubbuck Rd, Chubbuck ID 83202). A viewing for friends and family will begin at 10:00 a.m. Burial will take place at the Pleasant View Cemetery (1645 E 16th St, Burley, ID 83318) in Burley at 3:00 p.m.

Memories and condolences may be shared in the Guestbook below.