Judy Ann Lang Martin of Echo passed away peacefully on Dec. 28, 2023 at Good Shepherd Hospital in Hermiston at the age of 79.
Judy was born on Feb. 4, 1944 in Seattle, Wash. to Leo Otis Lang and Julia Pauline Boucher Lang. Judy was the baby of the family, joining three older sisters and one brother.
She spent the first part of her childhood in Shaniko until moving to Antelope, where she resided during her teen years. It was during this time that Judy found a passion for volunteering her time with the elderly in the community. She was known to provide hairdressing services for the local women and enjoyed cooking and delivering meals to them, as well.
As a young adult Judy moved to Madras, where eventually her two beloved sons, Monte and Bert, were born. During her years as a young adult, Judy absolutely adored taking her award-winning hound dogs out into the country to hunt and spend time in nature. Judy loved being outdoors and took advantage of any chance she could get to garden, fish, camp and hike with her family. She passed on this love for the outdoors to the rest of her family, as well, and it was something they could all enjoy together.
In 1969 Judy and her boys moved to Echo, where she settled and established roots for the family. In fact, it was while she was living there that two very special events changed her life forever. The first occurred after she visited a pottery shop in nearby Stanfield. The woman who owned the pottery shop had a son named Steve Martin, who happened to become the love of Judy’s life. Judy and Steve were married on July 5, 1988 and spent the next 35 years together creating memories and sharing a life. One of their favorite pastimes was to go on long hikes, scouting for arrowheads. In addition to Judy’s love of the outdoors, she also had talents for furniture refinishing and antique restoration. She and Steve turned these talents into a business and operated their own
antique shop in Stanfield for many years. Steve was a supportive, loyal and loving husband who cared so deeply for Judy while never leaving her side during her bouts with illness. Judy could not have asked for a more special partner.
Judy didn’t have to wait long for the next life-altering event after her marriage in ’88 because the other love of her life, her granddaughter Desere, was born in February 1989. Desere held a special place in Judy’s heart from the minute she was born. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for Desere, and she even raised her as her own for much of her childhood. Judy taught her granddaughter everything she knew about grit, independence, following one’s passions, and devotion to loved ones. Nothing was more important to Judy than time spent with her favorite people.
Judy is survived by her husband, Steve Martin of Echo; granddaughter, Desere Naugher-Dorran (Cutter) of Hermiston; nieces and nephews, Mark Woolman, Linda Woolman, Sandy Walker, Donna Lang, Julie Rauscher, Wanda James, Connie Lang, Jeff McCoy, Gretchen McCoy, Dianna Smith, and Ted Browing; as well as many great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her sons, Monte Naugher and Bert Naugher; parents, Leo and Julia Lang; sisters, Betty Winston, Leona Woolman and Donna McCoy; and brother, George Lang.
A celebration of life will be scheduled in the spring; services will be announced.
Please share memories of Judy with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
