Our beloved Judith Leigh Riise, known to many as Judy and Grandma Judy, passed away in her sleep on March 10, 2025, at her home overlooking the Stanislaus River in East Oakdale.
She suffered from advanced pulmonary fibrosis. She was 78 years young, having recently celebrated her 78th birthday on February 22.
Judy was born February 22, 1947, in the old Robertson Hospital, Modesto, California. She lived all of her early years in Riverbank and graduated from Oakdale High School in 1964. She was the second child of William R. “Bob” and Eulah Coon. Her older sister Carolyn (Johnny) helped raise their younger siblings, Roberta and Robert “Bobby” Coon.
Judy met her life partner, Don Riise, after both graduated from Oakdale High School. They married May 15, 1966. Together, they built a beautiful life filled with family, love, and adventure. She became a mother at 19, welcoming her first daughter, Tiffany L. (Steve), followed by Kristin J. (Dan), Courtnee L. (Mark), Andy (Katie), and her youngest, Leigh Anne, in 1984. With 18 years between her first and last child, Judy devoted her life to motherhood, raising her children with love, wisdom, and unwavering support. Her very special joy came from her 14 grandchildren, whom she adored and traveled extensively to visit, ensuring she was present for their milestones, school events, and sporting activities.
Judy and Don’s home, known by some as Riise’s Rio Ranchita, overlooked the Stanislaus River. The home was built by Don and Judy in 1989. It became a special gathering place for family holidays, celebrations, and summer camps with the grandchildren.
While Judy’s primary role was being a devoted wife and mother for the family’s first 20 years, she later built a fulfilling career in medical billing, working for Blue Shield before spending over a decade at Wallace Medical Billing, working from her home. She took great pride in her work and formed a lifelong friendship with Gina Wallace. She remained dedicated to her career until six months before her passing.
A passionate traveler, Judy had an insatiable curiosity to see the world. Don’s career in insurance provided them opportunities to explore nearly every continent, including trips to Hawaii, Tahiti, Russia, China, Australia, South America, and many countries in Europe. Their early travels were family R.V. trips all over California and across the U.S. when the kids were young.
Don and Judy visited five times to the Riise farm near Saebo Norway, a place she held dear. Their Norwegian family embraced Judy as one of their own, and she and Don hosted Andreas, a cousin’s son, as an Oakdale high school exchange student in 1999 and 2000. Their last international trip was a meaningful return to Norway, also the Rhine River, France, and Sweden in July/August 2024.
Deeply rooted in her community, Judy was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, YLI (Young Ladies Institute), and a devoted Camp Fire Girls leader for three of her daughters, and Girl Scouts for youngest, Leigh Anne.
She surrounded herself with a cherished circle of Oakdale High school friends who shared in the joys and challenges of raising families together.
Judy was a force to be reckoned with — strong, outspoken, fiercely loyal, and deeply loving. She will be remembered for her quick wit, unshakable devotion to her family, and the joy she found in every moment spent with her loved ones.
Judy’s family expresses special thanks to Life Guard Home Services and Hospice Services, who provided very caring and thoughtful nurses, a special bed, and supplies so that Judy could be at home for the past three months.
A Catholic rosary will be held on Thursday evening, April 24 at 6 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oakdale.
A funeral mass will be Friday, April 25, at 11 a.m., also at St. Mary’s.
Burial will follow at Citizens Cemetery. A celebration of life will follow in the older Parish Center hosted by her sisters of the Y.L.I.; Judy was a 50-year member.
Judy’s legacy of love, laughter, and adventure will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
A large wood memorial plaque is being purchased for the Oakdale Museum, and Judy will be the first to have a smaller brass plaque on it.
Donations can be made to: Oakdale Museum, P.O. Box 366, Oakdale, CA 95361
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
The Riverbank (Calif.) News
April 9, 2025
