Judith Anne Kaufman

Judith (Judy) Anne Sheehan Kaufman Born: January 7, 1941, in Butte, MT Passed Away: July 19, 2025 in Missoula, MT

Judy passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her husband and children.

Judy was born to Agnes and Daniel Sheehan, proud descendants of Irish immigrants who settled in Butte. She was the beloved youngest child, with her older brother Timothy Sheehan and sister Dolores Sheehan.

Tragedy struck early in Judy's life when her father passed away due to a work-related accident when she was just two years old. Her mother, Agnes, became a single parent and raised her three children with strength, independence, love, and a devoted Catholic faith.

Judy went to Girls Central Catholic High School in Butte, Montana, graduating in 1959. Afterwards, Judy pursued her passion for nursing by attending Montana State University in Bozeman, MT, and later earned her master's degree in Psychiatric Nursing from the Sacred Heart School of Nursing at the University of Washington in 1962. While in Seattle, she met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Kaufman, and they were happily married for 57 years.

Judy and Bob were blessed with three children: Darin, Gene, and Katie. The family relocated several times, residing in Seattle, WA; Libby, MT; Lakewood, CO; Steamboat Springs, CO; and Missoula, MT.

Judy served as a Registered Nurse at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula and later retired as the lead nurse at the Providence Mental Health Unit. Her dedication to her profession and her patients was unwavering.

An avid skier, Judy shared her passion for the sport with her family, teaching them to ski. She even taught her husband, Bob, during one of their first dates at the Snoqualmie Ski Area in Washington.

She was a devoted Catholic, proud of her Irish heritage, and cherished her family above all else.

Judy is survived by her loving husband, Robert Kaufman; her brother, Timothy Sheehan (his wife Marlene); her children, Darin (his wife Jayme), Gene, and Katie; her five grandchildren, Allison, Andrew, Jillian, Morgan, and Braeden; and her two great-granddaughters, Calliope and Violet.

Judy will be remembered for her strength, kindness, and the love she shared with all who knew her.

The funeral will be held at St Anthony's in Missoula at 11am on September 19th, followed by a lunch reception. (Address is 217 Tremont St, Missoula, MT 59801.) 

The burial service will be held at 2pm on September 20th in Kalispell at Glacier Memorial Gardens. (Address is 2659 US-93, Kalispell, MT 59901.) 

We welcome all who want to pay tribute to Judy Kaufman.