Judy Zane Chester

Judy Zane Chester passed away the morning of Tuesday, September 16th, in Wapato, Yakima County, Washington.  Judy was preceded in death by her parents James Chester and Edna Chester, sister Georganna Ragsdale, and brother James Robert (Bob)Chester.

She is survived by brother-in-law Duane Ragsdale; nephews Curtis (with his wife Donna) and Kenneth; brother Thomas Michael (Mike) Chester, nephew Michael Lynn Chester; sister-in-law Janet Lorraine Chester, nephew Jason Robert Chester, niece Andrea Kay Kollarsky(with her husband Erik); sister Kathy Dee Gonzales (with her husband Elias), nieces Kristina Michelle Gonzales, Jamie Marie Downing(with her husband Ryan), nephew Elias Jon Gonzales (with his wife Kimberly), and numerous Great nieces and nephews.  

Judy was born in Rotan, Fisher County, Texas on June 23, 1939 to James Gilbert and Edna Earl Chester.  She was the 2nd of five children.  Her family moved from Texas, in the early 1940s living in Washington, California, Texas, finally settling in the Yakima Valley, Grandview Washington in 1946. She went to the local schools where she Graduated from Grandview High School.  Judy continues her education at OBU. in Shawnee, Oklahoma and ultimately became a teacher.

Judy worked as a teacher in Washington (Renton, Richland, Grandview, Sunnyside, and Mabton), Montana, and Gaum where she taught military service children. After teaching Judy became a nanny and worked in California, and New York, before retiring in Grandview, Washington to help take care of her mother.

Judy's family and faith were very important to her.  She always enjoyed her family and friends always looking forward to the next get together. Judy was a very spontaneous person, many recalling that she was visiting Spokane and phoned and told everyone that she had just bought a house. 

She enjoyed doing ceramics and embroidery.  Items she made were given to family and friends.

Judy was known for always loving to travel. She traveled to many different places, among those were Guam, Hawaii and Italy.

Graveside Inurnment will be held Friday, September 26, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Mabton Cemetery in Mabton, WA. Those wishing to sign Judy’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

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