Judith “Judy” Joan (Scalph) Rich, 82, was born May 16, 1941, in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska, to Leonard and Helen (Babcock) Scalph and peacefully passed into heaven from Lewy Bodies dementia surrounded by family on Friday, January 5, 2024, in Post Falls. A viewing will be at 3 p.m. Friday, January 12, and a Celebration Life at 3 p.m. Sunday, January 14, both at English Chapel, 1133 N 4th Street, Coeur d’Alene.
She grew up number six of eight children, with four brothers and three sisters. At three, Judy traveled by train to Idaho, where she grew up on a small farm just outside of New Plymouth. She was a true redhead, with a lot of spunk and sass that stayed with her. She enjoyed driving the tractor, caring for the animals, canning and quilting with her mom. Entering her pies in the Payette County Fair was always a highlight.
Following her dad (WWII) and big brother’s footsteps, she proudly joined the Women’s Army Corp in 1964, stationed at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania working as a medic.
In 1965 she married Phil Rich, and they welcomed five children; Teresa, Philip, Kristine, Shelly and Apryl, in their 15-year marriage. In 1974 Judy earned her nursing license from TVCC and began her career as an LPN working in nursing homes throughout the Treasure Valley.
In 1989, she moved to Bonner’s Ferry working at Boundary County Community Hospital until she retired in 1997.
Family was always a priority; she helped raise her grandchildren, being active in their lives by babysitting and attending bowling matches, sports games and 4-H activities. Many of her grandchildren’s friends call her “Grandma.” She loved visiting her big brother, Jack, in Arkansas and daughter, Teresa, in Texas, where she tandem skydived.
In 2018, Judy moved into Living Springs for her last days. The family is forever grateful to Janea and the staff for the care, friendship and love as well as from the V.A. home-based staff.
Judy is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Helen Scalph, brothers, Jack, Jim and Paul, sisters LeNora, Marilyn and Carolyn and daughter Kristine.
She leaves behind her brother, Lynn, daughters Teresa, Shelly and Apryl (Jason), son Philip (Lyka), grandchildren, Ryan, Stephanie, Zachary (Alex), James, Michaela (Eric), Dylan, Misty (Tony), Daniel, Gavin, Ethan, Judy, Hinata and Shaika, eight great-granddaughters and two great-grandsons.