Judith Erickson

Judith Ann (Briggs) Erickson was born in Fontana, CA, on May 6, 1937, to Thelma J. and Joseph F. Briggs. Judy passed away after a four-month battle with cancer on December 29, 2012. Judy was preceded in death by her parents, husband Loren, son Geoff, and brother David. She is survived by her son Chris (Angie) and grandchildren Josh, Mary, and Jesse of Vallejo and son Peter (Jill) and grandsons Ryan and Austin of Turlock and brother Richard (Connie) Briggs of Upland. Judy was born in Fontana, CA. Her family moved to Sacramento for a few years and settled in Bakersfield where she graduated from East Bakersfield High. She attended Fresno State and received a B.A. in education. Judy and Loren met at Sequoia National Park during a religious retreat. They were married in 1960 and settled in Fremont, CA, where they raised their children and became active in several theatre and charitable groups, notably the Candle Lighters and the Ohlone Community College Theatre and Chamber Singers. Judy loved music. She was a cellist in the Fresno State Symphony Orchestra. She sang in the choir at the Fremont Congregational Church and was the organist at the United Church of Hayward for over 30 years. She also sang with the Chamber Singers and, recently, was a choir member at the First Presbyterian Church in Livermore. She began her career as a teacher with the Alvarado School District. While raising her sons, Judy transferred to substitute teaching in the Newark Unified School District. As her sons grew, Judy became the full-time music teacher at H.A. Snow Elementary in Newark. She continued to make herself available as a substitute teacher after her "retirement." Judy loved attending concerts, operas, and plays and especially traveling and performing with the Chamber Singers and her "cronies" all over the world. Her travels with the Chamber Singers took her to just about every country in Europe. Her biggest joy was to be able to share with everyone that she sang in Carnegie Hall in New York City. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and everyone she touched. A memorial service or "tribute" as she called it will be held on Sunday, January 13, 2013, at 3pm at the First Presbyterian Church, 2020 Fifth St., Livermore, CA 94550. In lieu of flowers, Judy requested that donations be made to the Ohlone College Theatre Group or to a music scholarship of choice.

Judith Erickson

May 6, 1937 - December 29, 2012