Obituary of Judith Kolts

Judith Ann Worcester Kolts after 68 years as a devoted wife and mother, passed from this life on August 25, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. She was born in Little Fork, Minn. as the younger child of the late James E. (Ed) and Ann Worcester, on Sept 3, 1941. Judie moved with her family to Bremerton WA in 1943 and then to Richland WA 1947. She attended John Ball grade school, Chief Joseph Junior High, and graduated from Columbia High School in 1959. She attended the University of Washington earning a BS degree in Education and married her high school sweetheart, Byron E Kolts MD, in 1963. Judie taught junior high level Spanish and then kindergarten. During her husband's medical training, she lived in Rochester, NY, Hanover, NH, Burlington, VT, Mountain Home, ID, and Gainesville, FL, before settling in Jacksonville, FL in 1984. Judie loved good food and cooked like a gourmet chef. She created beautifully painted Christmas ornaments and ceramics that now decorate her home. She loved daylilies and has an apricot-orange daylily named after her. She was an Honors and Awards judge for the national daylily society. She also loved camellias and many varieties decorate her yard today. She was an active member of Hidden Oaks Garden Circle of the Jacksonville Garden Club and was vice president of her circle on several occasions. Judie is preceded in death by her parents and her niece, Laurie Worcester. Judie is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Byron E Kolts MD; son, David Kolts of Richmond, TX; daughter, Lisa Kolts Sanders of Katy, TX; brother Clinton Worcester of Kennewick, WA; grandchildren Larissa Werner, Logan Werner, Diego Kolts, Samantha Kolts, Sarah Kolts; Nephews, Robert and Mark Worcester; and Niece, Paula Worcester Butler. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital or the College of Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville Campus. Commitment Service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 18 at Arlington Park Cemetery on 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville. Following the memorial, a reception to remember Judie will be held at her home.