Florence “Judy” Julin Engman died peacefully in Spokane on December 17, 2022, with her family by her side. She was 97 years old.

Judy was born July 3, 1925 in Wallace, Idaho to Anna and Axel Julin. She spent her early years in Wallace, before moving to Spokane with her mother and brother when she was nine, shortly after her father’s death. She was a proud graduate of Lewis and Clark High School, and seemed to mention that fact every time she was in Spokane, much to her family’s amusement.

Judy followed her brother, Axel Clarence Julin, to the University of Washington. Her studies were interrupted during World War II, when she became a Rosie the Riveter in the Seattle shipyards, welding seams in the refrigeration units and grab bars in the head. While at the U, she met Henry Engman, whom she later married. After a few years in Seattle, the two moved to Kennewick, Washington, and raised their family there. Once the children were all in school, Judy was able to pick up her dreams—and indulge her life-long love of books—by starting work at the Pasco High School library. As the kids grew older, she spent summers in Seattle, getting her Masters of Library Science at the University of Washington. She started work at the Mid-Columbia Regional Library as Reference Librarian when it opened its “new” building in Kennewick, and her children regularly heard stories from classmates about the times she had to quiet rowdy high school students “studying” at the library in the evenings.

Following retirement in 1982, she and Henry moved to Freeland, Washington. While there, Judy was a long-time, active member of Trinity Lutheran Church—as a member of the Church Council, WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church), the Call Committee for current pastor Jim Lindus, and as a member of the church’s quilting club, which produced and donated quilts to charities around the world. She also transferred her love of books and libraries to the Island, and helped establish the Freeland branch of the Sno-Isle Library. She served as Chair of the Sno-Isle Library Board and as a member of the Washington State Library Commission.

Judy was known for her big heart and generous spirit, was always willing to help out a friend or neighbor in need, and regularly supported numerous charities—local, national, and international.

Judy is predeceased by her beloved husband, Henry; her son, Gary; and her brother, Axel. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Dwight Peterson, of Spokane; her son John Engman, of Bellingham; her daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Rudy Koerner, of Berkeley, California; six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff and caregivers at the Memory Unit of South Hill Village in Spokane where she spent her final year, and the nurses and carers of Hospice of Spokane. Their loving care meant a great deal to all.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland in late summer.