Judy Lea Irwin

Judy Lea Irwin was born in 1945 in Circleville, Ohio, the middle child of seven. Judy Lea graduated from Williamsport High School in Pickaway County Ohio and Ohio University in Chillicothe, Ohio with a degree in Elementary Education and Psychology and a Minor in English. 

 In addition to spending time with family, Judy Lea loved nature, which led to her fascination with gardening, sailing, and woodworking. Her artisanship expanded into dancing, needlework, and home improvements. 

 Over the years, Judy Lea’s careers have included elementary school teacher, homemaker mom, and a variety of roles in retail, finance, insurance, medical supply, and landscape architecture, as well as Mary Kay Consultant before retiring to be a full-time Gramma. 

 She married in 1965. Although that marriage ended, it produced two strong daughters: Amy Ruth in 1968 and Emily in 1970. 

 In 2015 Judy Lea and eldest daughter Amy Ruth Irwin Ball (late Michael C. Ball) and four grandchildren, Elena, Ray, Nathan, and Joshua moved to Tucson, Arizona to be near the youngest daughter, Emily Irwin-Pomeroy, and son-in-law Donald “Skip” Paul Pomeroy, Jr.. 

 The family was of utmost importance to Judy Lea. Once you became part of her family whether by birth, marriage, or an enduring strong friendship, she always considered you family. Below is a list of just some of her ‘family’. Even more family roots formed and exist in lower Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, and Florida. 

 Preceded in Death by both Parents: Ernest Scott Minor and Ruth Neff Minor 

Siblings: 

Barbara Ruth Minor Leatherwood (Neil Leatherwood, deceased) 

Beverly Rose Minor Brown (Robert Brown, deceased) 

Dale Richard Minor (late Valerie Minor, deceased) 

Thelma Creola Minor Tippie (Leonard Tippie) 

Susan Elaine Minor Warner (Clifford Warner) 

Randy Ernest Minor (Lori Holland) 

Nieces and Nephews: 

Scott Picklesimer (Nancy) (+3 children) 

Wendy Viny (Joe) (+2 children) 

Jay Minor (Diana) (+5 children) 

Phil Minor (+1 child) 

Rene Arthur (Marty) Minor (Emily) (+1 child) 

Kimberly McFarland (Butch) (+3 children) 

Terressa Davy (Rusty) (+5 children) 

David William (Abbey) (+2 children) 

David Tippie (Becky) (+3 children) 

Michael Tippie 

Ragene Pinson (Rick) (+2 children) 

Alysha Warner (Marty) 

Desiree Holland (+2 children) 

Grand Children & In-Laws - by Marriage (Step) 

Megan Elizabeth Pomeroy-Knuffman (Gregory) (+1 child) 

Emily Rose Pomeroy 

Martha “Patsy” Smith Pomeroy (Donald Paul Pomeroy, deceased)

 Judy Lea will be remembered for her sense of humor, resilience, the joy she brought to those who knew her, and “Sunday Dinner with Gramma Diva”. May her memory bring comfort to all who were touched by her kindness or inspired by her encouragement. 

 In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Habitat for Humanity Tucson (https://habitattucson.org), a charitable organization recognized by the IRS under code 501O(3), TIN: 94-2725700. Arizona Qualifying Charitable Organization Code: 20375.