Judith (Judy) Lucille Straub, born September 21, 1948, in Yakima, Washington, passed away peacefully at her home in Colville, Washington, on April 26, 2026. She was the oldest daughter of Frederick and Lorraine Van Lith, and from an early age she carried the quiet strength, independence, and deep love of the outdoors.

After graduating from Eastmont High School in East Wenatchee, Judy met the love of her life, Marc T. Straub, at a dance — a chance meeting that sparked a lifelong devotion. The two married on February 11, 1968. Shortly, with the Vietnam War intensifying, Marc enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve as a helicopter pilot. After basic training, Judy moved to Georgia and Colorado to be with him as he completed flight school and other required training, embracing the uncertainty of military life with courage and grace.

Pregnant with their first child, and as Marc prepared to deploy to Vietnam, Judy returned to East Wenatchee to live with her parents. There, she welcomed their first son, Marc S. Straub, in December 1968. After Marc returned from his tour of duty, the family grew with the births of John P. Straub in December 1970 and Matthew T. Straub in March 1974.

Judy loved her boys fiercely. She was a devoted and thoughtful mother who poured her heart into raising her sons to be responsible, caring, and independent thinkers. Her guidance was steady, her expectations clear, and her love constant.

A lifelong lover of nature, Judy spent her youth camping and fishing with her parents and siblings— experiences that shaped her sense of peace and wonder in the outdoors. That love never faded. Whether tending to the wildlife around her home or simply watching the world outside her window, she found joy in the rhythms of the natural world and shared that appreciation with her family.

Judy is survived by her husband of 58 years, Marc; her sons Marc (Juli), John (Christine), and Matthew (Jamie) Straub; her brother Fred (Terri) Van Lith; her sister Joan (Michael) Allred; her sister-in-law Pamela Van Lith; ten grandchildren; and nine great‑grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick and Lorraine Van Lith, and her brother, Gary Van Lith.

Judy’s life was defined by devotion: to her family, to the home she built with Marc, and to her faith. She will be remembered for her strength, her warmth, and the deep love she carried for her family.