July 19, 1947 - January 2, 2014
LIVE WITH PURPOSE, CONNECT WITH YOUR PASSION & MAKE A DIFFERENCE
~ Love Judie ~
Judith Lynn Grangaard passed away January 2, 2014, surrounded by her family. An Arizona resident for
64 years, she was born in Dallas, TX on July 19, 1947 to Dr. Ray and Ruth Fife. With four sisters and
three brothers, Judie grew up in a very loving and vibrant household. She met the love of her life,
David Grangaard, while attending Camelback High School and it was truly a storybook romance.
The homecoming queen and star athlete would wed, have three children, and celebrate 45 years of
marriage, which they did on December 20, 2013. Judie and Dave celebrated their love and their lives
to the fullest by traveling together and spending time with family and friends as often as possible. A
caring and compassionate person, she was also a member of Delta Gamma sorority, Jr. League of Phoenix and Visiting Nurse Auxillary. She loved the ocean waves in La Jolla.
She loved playing games with her grandchildren.
She loved line-dancing, Zumba, and rolling out her yoga mat. She loved a good book and a warm bath.
She loved a chilled glass of wine and the smell of Christmas. Judie embraced everything about life and
truly lived each day to the fullest and always in the moment. A beautiful woman in every way, she
didn’t say goodbye without giving her family some advice about life, which was to: Connect with your
passion. Live with purpose. Make a difference. She is survived by her husband David, son Todd (Heather)
Grangaard, daughter Melissa (Tony) Vitek, daughter Heidi (Mike) Malano. Brothers, David (Lily) Fife,
Dana (Virginia) Fife, Tom (Gigi) Fife. Sisters, Becky (Howard) King, Diane (Craig) Powell, Cindy (Doug)
Thomann, Heidi (Rick) Remakel. Grandchildren, Kaylee Grangaard (12), Tatum (5) & Wyatt (2) Vitek. A
service will be held on Saturday February 15, 2014 at 11:00am. Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. 3641
N. 56th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85018. Immediately following the service a Celebration of Judie's life will
be held at The Stone House Pavilion (Phoenix Zoo) located at 455 North Galvin Parkway, Phoenix.. Judie
passed peacefully at Ryan House Hospice of the Valley, where we'd like to make a lasting tribute in her memory
by encouraging donations to be sent there, in lieu of flowers. Please send in memory of Judie Grangaard
to Hospice of the Valley Ryan House at 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.
