We Remember
BERGSMA, Judith
June 12, 1940 — April 23, 2024
Judith “Judy” Bergsma, beloved mother “Anyu”, grandmother “Nagymama”, and great-grandmother “Great-Nagymama” passed away at the Hospice House in Kelowna, B.C. on April 23, 2024 at 83 years old, with her family by her side. Judy was predeceased by her husband Tjeerd “Ted” in 2021 after 43 years of marriage; her son Robert; and her grandchild Corey.
Born in Pestszentlorinc, Hungary in 1940, Judy left Hungary during the 1956 revolution. She immigrated to Canada from Austria in 1958 and travelled across the country by train to Calgary where she lived for most of her life. Judy’s life journey took her to Carstairs and Airdrie, and then she retired with her husband Ted in Salmon Arm. She lived her final years in Kelowna.
Judy was a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. It was her calling. Family was everything to her. Big family holiday get-togethers were her favourite! Mom would always cook enough to make sure we all had leftovers, and she always reminded us to bring our containers. She baked the most delicious treats including pogacsa, jam cookies and shortbread, Valentine’s Day heart cookies, and her Easter sweetbread. She was famous for her homemade jam, canned beets, peaches, and pears.
She was a devoted mother who was present and encouraging in all of our activities, and was an avid baseball parent. Her Hungarian culture was very important to her, and we all participated in Hungarian dance, church events and Hungarian scouts where she became a leader for many years.
Judy loved the opera, musicals, and the ballet, and dressing up for each event was always a highlight. She had a love of shoes, scarfs, and shopping at The “Village” and Winners. She even asked for styling neon yellow crocks while in hospice! She had an amazing green thumb and loved tending to her flowerbeds, which stood out on any of the streets she lived on. In her retirement years in Salmon Arm, Judy was a proud member of the seniors Dragonboat Team, and she was a dedicated and long-time volunteer with the Shuswap Hospice Society.
Taking care of everyone else, is what she did. Every year, she made customized calendars for each of her children and grandchildren full of fun stickers, and she never forgot anyone’s birthday or their special holidays. Judy will always be remembered for her special quotes (she spent hours finding just the right one), and of course the confetti surprise in the greeting cards she sent to the entire family and her friends.
Judy was a dedicated wife, matriarch, and friend who put others ahead of herself, always. She left this world peacefully after having special visits with her family and friends over her last months. Special times with her grandchildren included getting her nails done, giving chicken paprikas cooking lessons, enjoying BBQ steaks, having a few tequila shots, nibbling on a McFlurry and fries, and even teaching canasta.
Judy was the loving mother of Alexander (Gay, Kelowna), Judy (Iby, Airdrie), Antoinette (William, Calgary), Agnes (Calgary), Harold (Audrey, Calgary), and James (Lyndsay, Maple Ridge); and will be remembered as a loving grandmother to her many grandchildren, Kevin (Lloydminster), Sharlet (Tim, Kelowna), Damon (Claudia, Mission), Chelsey (Mason, Airdrie), Christopher (Shannon, Calgary), Alexander Jesse (Kelowna), Devan (Riley, Calgary), Samantha (North Vancouver), Bryce (Ashley, Calgary), Emma (Calgary), Aidan (Maple Ridge), Aaron (Maple Ridge), and Saralyn (Richard, Calgary), Maryanne (Calgary), Christina (Calgary), Brandy (Terrance, Calgary), Otis (Calgary). She was also a great-grandmother to Quinn (Kevin), Callah, Nevaeh, Hunter, Onan (Sharlet), Isla, Fiona (Damon), Emmett, Taylen (Chelsey), and Thomas, Laurence (Saralyn), Skyler, Norah, Charlotte (Maryanne), Peggy (Christina).
The family would like to thank the Kelowna palliative care team and the wonderful Hospice House staff who took great care in making our beautiful mother Judy comfortable during her final days. We thank Dr. Ali and RN nurse Mo of the MAID Program, who helped her leave this world gracefully and at peace. The family would like to support the Canadian Cancer Society and the Hospice House Kelowna, and anyone who wishes to donate in memoriam of Judy can do so at www.cancer.ca or www.hospicehousekelowna.com.
In honour of Judy, a Private Service will be held at a later date.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
My deepest sympathy goes out to you all at this difficult time.
I will always remember Judy and how nice she was to me as a child. I have very fond memories of Judy and our family get togethers.
Sending you strength today and peace in all the days ahead
Dear Family,
I was Judy’s cleaner for several years in Calgary & I am so terribly sorry to hear the news. I have only the fondest of memories of Judith. She embodied the spirit of what it means to be a mom. She always told me she loved me like one of her own and we shared so many laughs and tears over the years…my world is brighter because of having Judith in it!!!
Sending you all the warmest thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Kelsey Noland
From fryslan our condolences
To Judy’s family we send our deepest sympathy. Judy was a great woman and we will all miss her deeply.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family at a most difficult time. Although I only knew Judy for 10 years, I felt very close to her. She was always there when I needed a kind word, when I needed some sage advice, or just a giggle fest. I will miss her forever. Good friends are hard to find. Not just I, but all the friends in our group, will miss her. We will do out best to keep meeting for our lunches, in Judy’s name always.
Thinking of you and the family my friend. It’s so difficult losing a parent, but I think what helps me is keeping those memories alive, having photos to look at and knowing that they are in a beautiful place until we meet them again ❤️ Hugs and love… Arlet and family
My sincerest condolences! I have so many fond memories, but the one that stands out the most is her smile. Jutka neni’s smile was one of the warmest, sincerest smiles a person could have and that will always be with me.
Dearest Agnes and family, your mom was a very special person! We’re all thinking of you at this time of immense loss.
– Jacquie and your friends at Compass Rose
So sorry to hear about Judy Nene….she was in our lives for a very long time. Our thoughts are with all of you at this time. Love Les and Desiree
My condolence to the family. I would like to keep in touch. Miss you aunt Judy. love your nephew Freddie
Aggie and beautiful big family…. Such an absence. She shines in each one of you and will always be there to talk to and get her advice. I remember those eyes of intelligence and purpose and kindness. Bless your mamma.