Judy Lee Vitale

Judy was a lifelong Coloradan who found her heart’s home in the mountains. While she wore many hats throughout her life, none fit quite as perfectly as “Mom” and “Honey Grandma.”

As mom to Brenda and Brandy, Judy transformed Rye into a playground of imagination. She was the mastermind behind elaborate themed birthday parties, the Girl Scout troop leader with an endless supply of craft ideas, and the PTA room hero who kept sugar levels high with her homemade suckers. She would sew late into the night to ensure her kids had the right costumes for Halloween or a parade; her characters ranged from I Dream of Jeannie, Smurfette, and Shrek to Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.

As her children grew, she delighted in the postcards and snapshots Brenda shared from travels with her partner Jim or “JV” and in Brandy’s classroom she embraced the role of curator for each holiday project.

When Brandy married Scot Burbridge, Judy gained more than a son-in-law; she found a steadfast pillar of support whose dependable nature and kind heart made him someone she could always count on.

It was in her role as “Honey Grandma” to Amelia and Branson that she truly shined. No spelling bee was too early, no baseball game too far, and no 4-H contest too small for her to attend, armed with her trademark shy smile and a cheerleader’s spirit. A true grandma extraordinaire, she was always there to cheer on her cubs.

Her sidekick in antiquing adventures, Steve Gallegos, will miss their hunts through dusty shops and backroads.

She was an artist at heart, finding beauty in the world around her. We will forever appreciate her sweetness. Her legacy lives on in the memories she crafted.

The family will gather together for a private service at a later date.

Memorial gifts can be made to Rye High Booster at P.O. Box 471, Rye, Colorado 81069; Venmo @rhsbooster or next cookie season, stop to support a local Girl Scout Troop table.