Obituary of Judy Astone

Judy Astone died in her backyard on a sunny winter day. She was 92 and thankful right to the end for her family and friends, who filled her life with joy. Growing up in Michigan, she relished reading in the basement during a hot summer’s day. The middle daughter of William P. Henderson and homemaker, Mary Fulcher, Judy and her sisters, Mary and Sandy, loved to fish together as a family. Judy attended the University of Vermont, where she met Robert Astone, a medical student who would become her husband. She gave birth to Michael while finishing her B.S. in education. The family then moved to southern California in the 1950s where Judy sought “a neighborhood full of tricycles” landing them in Hermosa Beach. Judy soon gave birth to Toni and the family easily took to the surfing, swimming, and volleyball culture. Scuba and snorkeling trips to Catalina rounded out many weekends. Jenny was the final addition to the family in 1962. In the 1970s, Judy began volunteering as a docent at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History. After divorcing Robert, she met Donald Patten then Curator of Mammalogy. They married in 1979 and embraced travel, nurturing their shared passion for nature. Judy was hired as the head of the docent program where she developed a keen knowledge of comparative anatomy and bird behavior and later ran the museum’s membership program. Judy and Don relocated to Aptos in the 90’s where they continued to camp, collect, invest and make new friends. She adored her children, Mike, Toni, and Jenny, and her extended family, son-in-law Marty, daughter-in-law Bettina, stepson Tom, and close friend Janet. She also delighted in the company of her grandchildren, Mike’s sons Mike, and Zane, Toni’s daughter, Claire, Jen’s son, Sandy and her great-grandchild Mia, daughter of young Mike and Laurie. Judy’s curiosity for learning inspired adventures with her grandchildren on whale watching trips, birding and kayaking. Her sisters, Mary and Sandy, expanded her beloved family with nieces and nephews who became a close-knit system of connection and support including David, Pete, Jim, Susie, Hannah, Maddie, Judy, Jay, and April. Judy skillfully designed clothes, quilts and reupholstered countless chairs and couches. An avid gardener, entertainer, and cook, she stayed connected with friends for life and delighted in celebrating around the dining table. From John Steinbeck to Farley Mowat, she loved books, gaining an encyclopedic knowledge of them over her lifetime. She was the perfect go-to for a good book. Judy listened thoughtfully, accepted people as they were and gave wise advice. Judy laughed and savored life every day. After suffering from liposarcoma, Judy chose to enter hospice and end her life on February 27, 2025. To honor Judy, plant a seed or a native plant. There will be a celebration of life gathering on June 21 in Aptos. Please contact Toni and Jenny at batnbook@gmail.com.