Judith Lynn (Burgess) Sargent

Judith Lynn (Burgess) Sargent entered and exited her life on earth 74 years apart in Great Falls, Montana. She was born on May 27, 1946, to Fenton and Inez (Schafer) Burgess, who took her home to Chester, Montana where she joined a sister, Betty Ann. As a young girl, she enjoyed a typical small-town life in Montana in the 1950s. They lived on a block where neighborhood children played together. Her young life included aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins. As she entered high school, Judy’s outgoing and social nature was evident. She played the flute in the school band, was a pom-pom girl and baton twirler. She was in the Methodist Youth Fellowship and Rainbow Girls. Judy maintained numerous friendships throughout her life from her growing years.During her high school summers, Judy sometimes stayed with her Grandma Matilda Schafer in East Glacier and worked in a gift shop. Judy graduated from Chester High School in 1964, and then attended Northern Montana College to study Business. In 1965, while Judy was a college freshman, her father, Fenton, died from a heart attack. Following college, Judy moved to Billings and worked in retail, eventually moving to Great Falls where she worked at The Style Shop. In 1967, she met the love of her life, Robert Sargent, a young Air Force Lieutenant from Tennessee stationed at Malmstrom. The couple wed on August 3, 1969. They would be married for 51 years, each providing a complement to the other’s personality. He with his quiet, methodical ways, and she with her outspoken nature and creativity. She quickly assumed the role of military wife and dutifully followed Bob to numerous Air Force bases across the United States, moving every few years. She was part of the Officer’s Wives Clubs and was keenly aware of the role she played as spouse to an officer. When Robert Sargent retired from the military he had risen to the rank of Major. One of their first posts after marriage and leaving Great Falls was in Little Rock, Arkansas. While there, their only child, Nathan Maury Sargent was born on November 24, 1974. Judy became a dedicated caregiver for her mother, Inez, who had severe rheumatoid arthritis. Inez spent several winter months with Judy’s family to receive care in the warmer climate, then spent the spring and summer in Montana close to Betty’s family. Her mother passed away on April 7, 1978, in Arkansas. Judy put her energy in her roles as wife, mother, and daughter. Their military lives took them to Florida for a brief stint for training. Some of her best memories of that time were taking Nathan to stroll on the beach almost daily near Tyndall Air Force Base before returning to Great Falls from 1978-83. While in Great Falls, Judy became involved in work pursuits that included working at the Chinese Emporium that later became Lily’s. Judy was able to merge her flair for cooking and creativity through teaching cooking classes at Lily’s. Her business, marketing and retail sense were also put to use at Inge’s Fashions. The military took the family to California from 1983-86, where Judy became a realtor. Judy and Bob made friends through all their locations. Judy was particularly skilled at staying in touch. They hosted many visitors while in California, and Judy was in her element as a “tour guide” to the beach, outdoor markets, and Disneyland. When Bob retired from the military in 1986, the family moved back to Great Falls. Judy returned to retail work in downtown Great Falls, as well as, a home-based craft business and running her own monogramming business. She worked at Something Special and Pizazz. Eventually she and Bob bought Something Special in 1992, and ran that specialty store until 1998. She was active serving and providing leadership. In 1996, she served as President for the Great Falls City Center Association. She was involved with multiple activities including Taste of Great Falls, Christmas Stroll, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and University Meets the Streets. She and Bob both volunteered at the Civic Center and were actively engaged in their community. Judy was the type of person who could always see ways to improve the world around her. She had an artistic sense and applied it in her home, kitchen, business, and wardrobe. She was never one to be idle and had several creative pursuits through the years. Tackling calligraphy, to intricate cross-stitch, jewelry-making, and beadwork. She thrived on a good challenge and chose very complicated patterns. She enjoyed boldness in her world – from the flavors in food, to flair in her fashions. She even had a bold attitude. She was not one to hold back. She’d freely share her opinion with you, whether you asked for it or not! If you met her, you likely made note of it. Appropriately, she had plaque in her home that said, “I’m not bossy. I just have better ideas.” She had a lot of spark, which sometimes could singe people who didn’t know how to handle her fire. For those who did, she offered a warmth that never burned out. She was loyal, dedicated, and caring. She was generous and giving. After closing Something Special, Judy and Bob began spending summers on family property at Apgar, Montana. They shared their love for Glacier and Montana by hosting friends and family from all over the United States. While living seasonally in Glacier, Judy worked at the Cedar Tree in Apgar from 2000-15. This century brought another welcome change, as Judy’s first granddaughter, Bailee Ann was born in 2000, followed by Jadelyn Marie in 2002. Judy relished her role as grandmother to these two beautiful girls. It wasn’t long before Judy and Bob were dividing their time between Glacier, Great Falls, and Phoenix, AZ where Nathan and his family lived. Their time in Arizona increased each year as the girls grew and became involved in more activities. Judy was one to show her love through action often preparing meals for her son’s busy family. The couple eventually purchased a residence in Surprise, Arizona where they lived several months of the year. She and Bob became active, involved members of the retirement community in which they lived, and as she so often did with all their moves, she gathered more friends. Judy pushed through pain often as she worked and served others. In the 1980’s, she began to have a series of health challenges brought on in large part by autoimmune diseases. These diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis contributed to increasing challenges in her seventh decade of life. Compounding health issues led to some drastic changes for Judy in recent years. She valiantly fought back after a broken hip two years ago. Though her body was frail, her fiery personality helped her persevere through her health adversities. On Sunday, July 26, 2020, her hip broke again, and following surgery, she had a stroke. Amazingly, and true to her spirit, she was still communicating with family and friends through hand gestures and nods, even following the stroke and before her bright spirit left her weary body behind on August 1, 2020, two days short of her and Bob’s 51st wedding anniversary. While on earth, she loved and was loved by her patient, dedicated, and devoted husband Robert Maury Sargent. Those who will hold and share her spark include son, Nathan Sargent and his wife, Lisa (Dalaly), and her granddaughters, Bailee and Jadelyn Sargent; sister, Betty Ann (Burgess) Wolery and nieces, Jillian R. Miller, Jane Wolery (Beadle), Julie Erickson; sister-in-law, Barbara (Sargent) Lewis and nephews, Kyle Lewis and Kurt Lewis. There are many great-nieces and nephews, as well as, cousins and friends. Her brother-in-law Sterling Wolery preceded her along with a niece, Jolene Wolery, who died as an infant. Judy was a gatherer of people, though she had only one sister, she chose a few more on her own including a first cousin with whom she was especially close, Ladene (Kafka) Mangold and dear friend, Carol Benson. Judy specified that memorials to honor her life be directed to Peace Hospice of Montana. Judy was a memorable, social, spicy woman who was known for her flamboyance and flair. She was fierce and unforgettable in the best of ways. Judy’s family is hosting a gathering for people to visit any time between 2 and 4 p.m. on Friday, August 7, 2020, at O’Connor Funeral Home. Social distancing will be observed, and guests are asked to wear masks.