Judith Rae Simons

Judith Rae Sigel Simons was born and Raised in Seattle, Washington Madrona neighborhood.

Sunrise 01/03/1936

Sunset 03/24/2025 

In a serene moment of peace, our mom took her last breath as the Hospital Chaplin recited Psalm 23, filling our hearts with eternal love and cherished memories. Her daughters Corinne and Elaine held her hands, cherishing the moment. Over the last days of her earthly life she was surrounded in love by love ones and won the hearts of Valley Medical Center Care Team.  

Judy joins her ancestors, beloved husband Elliot Simons, Maternal Grandparents Max and Jenny Esfeld and Paternal Grandparents, her mother Molly Mae Esfeld Sigel and father Isadore Sigel and stepfather Ben Baker, mother and father-in-law Tilly and Irving Simons, sister Marilyn “Morningstar” Salkin and brother in law Armold Salkin, brother-in-law Daniel Shafer, and sister-in-law Renee Simons, nephew John Salkin and grandsons Torell and Jesse Sarey. 

She leaves behind her three daughters Corinne Ritter and ex-husbands Scott Eickstaedt & Bruce Ritter, Cheryl Wylie and son-in-law David Wylie, and Elaine Simons and boyfriend Maurice Williams, her sister Carman Shafer, and brother-in-law Larry Simons. Grandchildren Jacob and Stacey Eickstaedt, Jennifer and Tim Thomas, Linda and Chris Haskell,Bryan Ritter and Brandon Ritter and Momo Sarey the wife of deceased Torell Sarey. Great Grandchildren Kyan Thomas, Agent & Finley Haskell and Niko Sarey. Her nephews and nieces; Karen “Madame Chinchilla” Salkin, Max Salkin, Jadene Walters, Pamela Miller, Patricia Knapp, Jeff Simons and Stacy Simons. And her g-d daughter Sandy Kirby. 

Judy lived a vibrant life growing up in the Madrona/Seattle's Central District area, attending Bush K-8, and graduating from Garfield High School. She spent years fishing on her parents' boat “Judith Rae” and hanging out at her father's Isadore Mars Amusement Pinball shop on Western Avenue. 

She met the love of her life, Elliot, while attending University of Miami pursuing a fashion design degree. After marriage, Judy followed her husband Elliot when he served in the army to Japan and lived off-base in Tokyo, where her eldest daughter Corinne was born. 

Judy and Elliot returned and settled in Bellevue in the Robinswood Neighborhood, where they raised their family and spent 64 years in the same house. 

Judy worked as a sales associate at Nordstrom's in Bellevue Square for years and Jo-Ann's Fabrics at Crossroads. Later in life, Judy and Elliot began selling their Beaded Jewelry Designs and Framed Stamps on the arts and crafts scene “JUEL.” Judy was also an avid seamstress and skier, she enjoyed watching Law & Order Special Victims Unit, Ice Skating, taking jacuzzi baths, reading, and always having a book with her. She enjoyed her different clubs; mahjong, book and her breakfast with her childhood friends over the years. 

She enjoyed sitting on the back deck watching the birds and squirrels, she enjoyed the fur companions Sookie and Izzy and Drako the bearded dragon and Penquin the rooster and his Harlem of hens. She loved going on adventures with her daughters, getting pedicures, reading the Sunday Seattle Times Obituaries, playing Quinto, and looking forward to Halloween, where she dressed up and welcomed neighbors' children. Anything Owls. Her favorite candy was Bohem's of Issaquah dark chocolate ginger, Scotty's black licorice, fresh figs, peas and avocado tuna rolls. 

She and Elliot were avid cruisers and traveled Alaska, the Caribbean, and Mexico. 

Her favorite song was “You are my Sunshine” by Johnny Cash, and her husband would sing it to her. 

Mom:

Where is Dad?

I have been looking everywhere for him all day.

Us: He is in Heaven.

Mom: Is there a Stairway to Heaven? 

Her last years were spent living with her daughters Elaine and Corinne in unincorporated King County. She enjoyed Jewish celebrations and other holidays. Her daughter Corinne would set up thematic settings throughout the home. 

Judy always says her daughters are her best friends. 

Judy will join her husband Elliot at Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Covington, WA. A celebration of her life will be held in early summer. 

Donations can be made to Jewish Family Services Food Bank and Social Services.