Keeping, Judith Hope

Judith Hope Keeping (Macleod) born April 15, 1945

Parents Herbert K Macleod and Edith C Macleod (MacKenzie) predeceased.

Children Melissa Keeping (Michael Cain) and Meredith Crowder (Mark); fondly remembered by their father, Harold Keeping

Grandchildren Malcolm and Tessa Cain, Paige, Hudson and Macy Crowder

In loving memory of our spirited, feisty, loving Mimsy, Judith (Jude/Judy) Keeping, who passed away peacefully at Maison McCulloch Hospice on June 5, 2023 surrounded by loved ones.

Judy was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia to Herbert and Edith (MacKenzie) Macleod (both pre-deceased) on April 15, 1945. She spent many happy summers in Baddeck on Cape Breton Island with her extended family and friends and always looked forward to annual trips “back home” for laughs, visits and lobster feasts. She was a proud graduate of the Occupational Therapy program at McGill University and started working as an Occupational Therapist at Sudbury General Hospital in 1970. Judy was described by her colleagues as a loyal and valued member of the department, showing kindness, practical advice and mothering support. In 1972 Judy’s design was selected as the national winner for the official Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists pin. She continued her career as Director of Occupational Therapy and later as Clinical Manager of Rehabilitation Personnel at Health Sciences North. Judy was extensively involved at many levels with professional associations for occupational therapy at the provincial and national levels. Locally Judy spent many hours of her free time on the Board of Directors with the Sudbury-Manitoulin Alzheimer Society, Sudbury and Area Victim Services and Sudbury Pet Therapy group.

Upon retirement Judy joined the Sudbury Bridge Club to take lessons and broaden her social circle. It was here that she met Raymond Lendt. Ray and Judy made the best of the short time they had together, camping, exploring and even catching her first fish! Ray is heartbroken that he lost his best bridge partner. Judy is proof that it is never too late to meet your soulmate.

Judy will be remembered as a loving mother, for her strength of character, her wise advice (passed down for many generations), her intelligence and her gallows humour. She treated her pets like members of her family and adopted many cats and dogs over the years. Her dog Lily will miss her. Judy loved to read and was a frequent visitor to the public library. She was an avid gardener and loved to commune with nature in her backyard oasis. Her baking was always appreciated by her family, especially her apple pies. 

Judy was fiercely proud of her daughters Melissa Keeping and Meredith Crowder. Her joy came from her five grandchildren Malcolm, Tessa, Paige, Macy and Hudson who called her Nana or Nanta (at Christmas). She became an avid fan of any sport or activity that her grandchildren were involved in and could be found at the swimming pool, the baseball field, the hockey rink, the football field, the equestrian ring or the bowling alley on many weekends cheering them on.    

A celebration of life will be held on June 24, 2023 from 2pm to 6pm at Northern Water Sports Centre, 206 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury. The family is extremely grateful for the exceptional care that mom received from the staff at Maison McCulloch Hospice and especially from Josée-Ann (MJ!), Melanie, Emily, Monique, Tammy and Sylvie. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Maison McCulloch Hospice in Judy’s memory.