LISBON — Judith Rae Thompson, 86, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023, at Blossom Nursing Home.
She was born Jan. 11, 1937, in Youngstown, the daughter of the late Ruth and Emerson Williams.
Judy was an equestrian; her passion for horses started early in life (age 9) and was nurtured spending much time at Zedaker’s Stables in Poland, learning the essentials of horsemanship. A graduate of Boardman High School, Judy spent a year at Mount Union College.
She married Phil Thompson, also an equestrian and polo player, in 1956, and subsequently they moved to Germany for Phil’s military service. While in Germany, their first son, Luke, was born. Returning from Germany, Judy and Phil purchased a farm outside Columbiana. Two more sons entered the world and the 1960s were spent raising a family and playing polo in the region.
In 1974, after a divorce, Judy and her sons moved to Boca Raton, Florida, where Judy was employed in the growing professional polo circuit as a groom. During this time, she earned her real estate and broker’s license and was involved in residential property sales. In the mid-1980s, she relocated to Wellington, Florida, to be involved in the rapidly growing home of professional winter equestrian events in the U.S. It was at this time that Judy earned her massotherapy license and developed a successful business working on professional riders and specializing in Equissage, working on high-end and Olympic sport horses.
Having a bit of wanderlust, she traveled to the Rocky Mountains and determined that Montana really is “The Last Best Place.” During the 1990s, she packed her horses, and drove her truck and trailer from her Florida home to spend the summers in Montana exploring the region. In 2000, she took up residence on a cattle ranch outside Red Lodge, Montana, and spent her time riding in and around the Rocky Mountains and getting involved in cattle drives. While living on the Montana ranch, Judy started collaborating with some of her former professional clients in the development of a sport horse-breeding program, utilizing Olympic warm-blood stud semen and Western-quality quarter horse mares. Their hope was to produce a viable product for the entry-mid-level competition dressage and hunter jumper market. Unfortunately, Judy had a life-changing horse wreck in 2010 that forever changed her life.
Judy was inquisitive; well read; interested in the arts, classical music, the human condition and spirituality; and passionate about animals, and most importantly, equines. She had a good sense of humor and strong convictions. She loved coastal southern Florida and the northwest mountains. Judy said not long ago, “Don’t mourn my death, celebrate my life. For the most part I’ve lived it on my terms and have had great adventures; it was a good ride.”
She spent the last seven years of her life in Lisbon, dealing with life’s injuries. All but her last year she could drive, had freedom of movement and still dreamed big.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Byron Williams; and former husband, Phil Thompson.
She is survived by her sons, Luke of Boardman, Mark (Micheline) and their daughters, Jade and Sophia of Poland; and James (Lou) and their son, Hunter and daughter, Emma of Lisbon.
In keeping with Judy’s wishes, there will be no services.
A special thanks to Judy’s caregivers for the past year, Yvonne, Alexandra, Anthony and Emma. She lived in her home all but the last 30 days with her dogs in her lap, horses outside the window and surrounded by her life’s memories and books.
Additionally, thanks to Buckeye Hospice for the competent and professional services.
(special notice)
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