Judi Easton (Judith Ann Rice) of Nashua, NH, died on May 21, 2024, surrounded by her family, from complications of an unexpected rupture of a cerebral aneurysm.

Judi was born in Tacoma, WA, the eldest of two daughters of Mary Margaret (Noon) Rice and David Victor Rice. She was a beloved wife, sister, mother and grandmother. She is survived by her husband Richard (Dick) Easton; her sister Connie Rice; her three daughters: Maria Easton and her husband Troy Birkner and their child Izzy; Mim (Marilyn) Easton and her wife JoAnne Coles and stepson Cole; Ann Putnam and her husband Ben Putnam and their children Ray and Caleb; and numerous other family members.

As a child, Judi had a vivid imagination and loved to write stories (mostly crime stories) and perform them with her friends. She grew up within sight of Mount Rainier and always considered it “her” Berg. A member of Tri-Delta sorority, Judi studied history and political science and graduated from the University of Montana in Missoula, MT in 1964. The following year, she taught at Missoula High School. Judi and Dick lived briefly in Terre Haute, IN, before settling in Olympia, WA, where Judi focused on raising their three daughters. She enjoyed arts and crafts and hobbies such as dried flower arranging, macrame, and bird watching. In 1978, the family drove cross-country and settled in Amherst, NH.

Judi loved her children unconditionally. She was a very active mother as the children grew up: she was a Girl Scout leader, joined the Band Boosters, and sewed prom dresses and gowns. She was a constant support to all of them throughout their lives.

During their 59 years of marriage, Judi and Dick traveled throughout the United States and to England and Italy to visit family, see sights, and tour with the Granite Statesmen Barbershop Chorus (of which Dick was a member). Locally, they enjoyed trips to admire the fall foliage, visits to Perkins Cove in Ogunquit, ME, and also visits to the bookstore of their favorite author, Nora Roberts.

A member of First Church, Congregational UCC in Nashua, NH, Judi joined the women's club and led the church's recycling efforts for many years.

Although Judi suffered health problems throughout her life, she was unflappably resilient and optimistic. She was a runner in the 1970s before running was common, she wrote an entire novel by longhand in a series of spiral notebooks, and she loved life in many ways. She was an avid knitter and made sweaters and blankets for family and friends. Before she went deaf, she loved music – Barry Manilow, Neil Diamond, and especially Christmas carols. She loved holidays and cooked Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the family. She loved reading – especially novels and cookbooks, which she said she could read cover to cover as if they were novels. She collected over 800 books on subjects ranging from birds to religion to travel.

She shared her life with her beloved cats and dogs, including Yogi, Pup, Alex, and Simon. In recent years, a very special golden retriever, Teddy, also spent a lot of time by Judi's side. She loved the seasons in New Hampshire. She never tired of forsythia, rhododendrons, fall foliage, and the first snowfall. She loved sharing (and receiving!) photos of trees, sunsets, gardens, snowfall, and pets in her family's ongoing text thread. She loved birds – from birdwatching in Olympia to her carefully tended backyard feeders in Nashua. Every year

looked forward to the arrival of the migratory hummingbirds. Their arrival this year, just days after their departure, was bittersweet for those of us who knew and loved them.

SERVICES: A celebration of Judi's life will be held on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at the Davis Funeral Home, 1 Lock St, in Nashua, NH. Visitation hours will be at 12:00 p.m., followed by readings and reflections at 1:00 p.m. Those wishing to do so may make a donation in her name to the Audubon Society at act.audubon.org/a/memorial-gift. The Davis Funeral Home (603)883-3401 “ONE MEMORY ILLUMINATES ANOTHER.”