Judith Elaine Newquist

  General Notes:

Judith Newquist McBurney May 9, 1947 - May 5, 2009 Judy was born and reared in Elgin, Texas. She was a bright, vivacious, and energetic child to whom people were naturally drawn. In the summer of 1952, just one month before the Salk vaccine became available, five-year-old Judy contracted polio. The illness left her legs permanently paralyzed. Her spirit, however, remained as vital as ever. Thanks to that spirit and to guidance from exceptional parents, Judy approached life with a positive and cheerful outlook. She confided recently that she never really thought of herself as handicapped. Judy graduated from Elgin High School, where she was a member of the marching band, and attended North Texas State University. Then, in 1968, she met and married Michael McBurney, an airman at Bergstrom AFB. They settled in Austin and within a year welcomed their first child, Stephanie. Shortly after that, Judy required spinal surgery, and she spent the next 6 months flat on her back in a body cast. Again, she refused to let this daunt her, and she directed those around her, with love, as they helped her care for the new baby. Two years later, a new baby, Kelly, joined the family. Another spinal surgery ensued, with more confinement. The young family, strapped with medical bills, needed extra income, so Mike took a second job at a convenience store. Shockingly, he was killed in a robbery during his first shift. Judy and her two babies were surrounded with love and support from the family and the community alike. Summoning from the well of strength she had used to deal with her paralysis, Judy assumed the role of widowed parent with skill and cheerful forbearance. Following a move to Houston, Judy met Richard Lewis who became her beloved and life-long companion and a father to her two children. They returned to Central Texas during the early 1980s. Since 1995, Judy has lived in her lovely home on Main Street in Elgin, a place she considered to be her art project in process. Judy was one of the happiest, least handicapped persons one would ever hope to meet. As a cook, she had few if any peers, and her storytelling was legendary. Her unfailing cheerfulness and offhand courage might be described fairly as grace. She was an inspiration, a joy, a coach, a mentor, a super mom/grandmother/aunt, and a lioness as matriarch. Judy was preceded in death by her father Lambert Newquist and her husband Michael McBurney. Survivors who will struggle to fill the hole her death leaves in their lives include her mother, Vivian Newquist; companion, Richard Lewis; sisters, Linda Dunlap and husband John, and Sue Webb; brother-in-law, Jimmy Webb; daughters, Stephanie Lippke and husband David; Kelly Stansberry and husband Darrin; beloved grandchildren, Victoria, Cody, Vivian, Kathryn, Hannah, Isabella, and Travis. She also leaves nieces, nephews, in-laws, and a host of friends who will miss her dearly. Services are planned at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Elgin. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to a scholarship fund established in Judy's name at First United Methodist Church.

Judith married Michael John McBurney. (Michael John McBurney died about 1973.)

Judith next married Richard Lewis.