Judith Powell Obituary

Judith A. Powell

Judith Anne "Judy" Powell, 73, of Findlay, peacefully transitioned home Tuesday, June 18, 2024, while at Blanchard Valley Hospital. She was surrounded by her loving family while under the care of Bridge Hospice.

Judy was born Nov. 16, 1950, in Findlay, from the union of Robert M. and Ruth E. (Engard) Pickens.

Left to cherish her memory are her mother, Ruth; daughters, Kellee (Mike) Ott and Elizabeth (Todd) Baldridge; sister, Beverly (Joseph) Keller; grandchildren, Brooke (Dalton) Billock and Benjamin Baldridge; nephews, Chris Koziel and Robert Keller; and niece, Colette Parish, all of Findlay. She recently learned she was expecting her first great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George W. Powell on July 1, 2013; father, Robert; brother, Robert (Bobby) Pickens; and granddaughter, Autumn Baldridge.

She graduated from Findlay High School. She worked as a sewer at Findlay Industries for many years, sewing the interior material of Corvette doors. She and George married Dec. 30, 1980, and together, they bought the Bel-Aire Motel and Hide-A-Way Lounge in Findlay, operating the popular establishment together for many years. They owned and operated the Rose Villa Restaurant, also in Findlay. The family worked together at the restaurant, catering for many special events and meetings in the area and also winning rib festival competitions. Outside of working at their business, Judy and George loved spending time boating the Great Lakes, and they also built a cabin in a remote area of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

One highlight of their adventurous boating life was taking a two-week voyage aboard their 25-foot Sea Ray, "Pi Eyed," departing from Catawba Island in Ohio and navigating with only charts through waterways of the Detroit River, Lake Saint Clair, Lake Huron, the Soo Locks of Sault Ste Marie, and into Lake Superior to their destination of Big Bay. Later when they owned a 37-foot Marinette named "After Math," Judy taught herself to captain the vessel and was very proficient handling and docking the boat. Many summers, she enjoyed taking family, friends, and employees on "ladies day" cruises to Put-In-Bay, Kelley's Island, and Lonz's Winery, culminating in treasured memories for all who went along. Judy also excelled at the pub game of darts and won a much-coveted trip to Las Vegas to compete in 1987.

She loved playing cards and bridge, especially playing with her mother and uncle, Bob, and aunt, Betty Wise. She later became a Master Gardener and when she took on the joy of painting, she loved painting flowers in addition to landscapes and seascapes. In recent years, Judy loved making jewelry and gifted many of her creations to family and friends. Over the years, she loved the joy of reading books, cross stitch projects, and various craft projects. She was a member of Dendarah Court #10 and past President of Findlay Lady Shrine.

Family and friends will remember Judy as an extremely witty, humorous, and charming people-person, and also as the original Google before there was Google, as she was the smartest person in the room!

Visitation for friends and family will be 10 a.m. Friday, June 21, 2024, until the time of Judy's funeral at 12 p.m. at HUFFORD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 1500 Manor Hill Rd., Findlay, 419-422-1500. Pastor Jim Klausing will officiate and interment will follow at Knollcrest Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Judy's memory can be made to Bridge Home Health & Hospice, 15100 Birchaven Lane, Findlay, Ohio, 45840.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.huffordfh.com.