Judith Helene Bosworth

Judith Helene Bosworth passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026, in her beloved home of 47 years in Anacortes, Washington, surrounded by family and friends. Born on September 1, 1939, in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, during the final years of the Great Depression, Judith lived a life marked by resilience, artistic passion, and service to others.

The daughter of Arthur and Anita Kinkel, Judith grew up with her brother Neil in Depression-era Wisconsin. Her early years shaped a character of strength and determination that would carry her through life's challenges and triumphs. After completing high school, she pursued higher education with characteristic dedication, first studying for two years at Concordia College in Minneapolis before transferring to River Forest Concordia University in Chicago, where she graduated in 1961.

Following graduation, Judith embarked on her first teaching career in Philadelphia, where she spent two years working with grade school students. Her passion for education and the arts led her to continue her studies at the University of Colorado, where she pursued focused Studio Arts education. This artistic foundation would enrich her entire life, as she later excelled in music, visual arts, and textiles.

In Denver, Judith found her calling as a grade school teacher at Arvada Lutheran Church School. It was here that she also found love, meeting Jim Fielgel, an Assistant Pastor at the church where she attended Sunday services. They married and welcomed two children, Michael and Brian, into their lives. Tragedy struck when Jim passed away from health issues just two years after the children were born, leaving Judith to raise her young sons alone.

Demonstrating remarkable courage and determination, Judith moved to St. Louis in 1970, where she was able to purchase a house in the suburbs and rebuild her life. Seeking new purpose and spiritual direction, she applied to train as a Chaplain at Missouri Baptist Hospital. This decision would prove life-changing in ways she could never have imagined.

At Missouri Baptist Hospital, Judith met Kenneth Bosworth through a mutual friend. Their connection was immediate and profound—within "a few short weeks," they had fallen deeply in love and soon married. Their backyard wedding featured Cat Stevens' "Morning Has Broken," which would become a defining song in their shared life together. The love story that began in a hospital hallway would span over five decades.

Kenneth and Judith soon welcomed their first child together, a tow-headed boy named Joshua. Seeking a life closer to nature and their spiritual values, the growing family left the big city for the Minnesota wilderness, where Kenneth had co-founded Adventurous Christians, an outdoor youth camp located on the Gunflint Trail north of Duluth. Soon after, they welcomed another son, Jeremiah, in nearby Grand Marais.

Despite the lack of running water and other modern conveniences, the family thrived in the heart of the wilderness, surrounded by dense forest and countless lakes. For six years, they embraced this rugged life, with Judith adapting her many talents to their unique circumstances. However, by 1979, the harsh northern climate proved challenging, and Kenneth accepted a new position that would bring them to the Pacific Northwest.

The family settled in Anacortes, Washington, a charming community nestled on the outskirts of the beautiful San Juan Islands. Here, Kenneth and Judith would spend the remainder of their lives, becoming cherished members of the community. Anacortes provided the perfect blend of natural beauty and civilization that suited their temperament and values.

In this new home, Judith's remarkable talents flourished. She was an excellent vocalist who had previously sung with the St. Louis American Konteri choir. In Anacortes, she joined the local Madrigal group, and when an opening became available, Kenneth joined as well. Many Christmases found this musical group singing at house parties throughout the community, spreading joy and harmony.

Judith's artistic gifts extended far beyond music. She excelled in visual arts and textiles, spending midday hours weaving garments on her loom. Her home became a sanctuary of creativity and warmth, where she maintained an immaculate garden, filled the house with the aroma of hearty soups and freshly baked whole wheat bread in the evenings, and filled the parlor with song late into the night. As anyone who shared her table could attest, she was an amazing cook who made life more beautiful for those around her with each passing day.

As her children matured, Judith pursued further education, eventually obtaining a Master's in Arts from Antioch College in Seattle. This advanced degree opened new doors for her professional life. She established a mental health practice in Anacortes, where she served as a therapist for 25 years, touching the lives of hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals. Her natural wisdom, compassion, and spiritual depth made her a gifted counselor and healer.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Judith was deeply committed to her community. She helped form a long-standing women's group which eventually became a book club that continues to this day. Her ability to forge deep and earnest friendships enriched the lives of many in Anacortes.

Judith maintained a vibrant spiritual life throughout her years, actively participating in Methodist, Presbyterian, and eventually Lutheran churches. Her religious life extended beyond formal worship, as she found profound meaning in the wilderness and coastlines of Western Washington. She served as a wise woman and spiritual guide for those around her, offering counsel and comfort to all who sought her wisdom.

In 2002, Judith suffered the first of several small but impactful strokes. Despite these health challenges, she continued her therapeutic practice with characteristic determination until her age and health finally required her retirement in 2015. As her mobility diminished, she was lovingly cared for by Kenneth and her close family in the home they had cherished for 47 years.

Her final years were spent in simple pleasures that reflected her lifelong appreciation for beauty and nature. She loved sitting in the sun, watching the birds, reading her books, and tending to her cutting garden. Even as her physical strength waned, her spirit remained vibrant and her home continued to be a place of warmth and welcome.

On a clear and crisp February night in 2026, Judith peacefully departed this world, surrounded by people who loved her greatly. In a poignant final gesture of openness and release, her family opened all the windows and doors as they stayed by her side during her passage to the next world. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched, the art she created, the gardens she tended, and the love she shared so generously throughout her 86 years.