Judy R. Van Raalte

VAN RAALTE, Judy – It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Judy Van Raalte on January 29th, 2026 due to sudden unexpected heart failure at the age of 86.

Mourning are husband Dirk and children Michael (Jennifer Bistolas), Bruce (Liane), Kevin (Danielle), and Alyson (Rene Schrott). Also eight grandchildren – Russell, Anna, Anneke, Cailyn, Sienna, Kaia, Thomas, and Alex. Judy also leaves behind a tight-knit extended family, including her brothers Bob (Sandy) and George (Charlotte), and sisters Denise (Jim), Ginny, and Liz (Jamie), their extended families, and the entire Butternut Bay community, many members of which have known each other across generations.

Judy was born in Belleville and was the daughter of Reginald Anderson and Alice McIntosh. She graduated from Teachers College to teach elementary and later specialized in teaching “English as a second language” in London, Ottawa and Guelph, where she supervised the ESL programme for the Upper Grand District board. She absolutely loved the interaction with the students, some of whom were teenagers, as well as adults and grandparents.

During COVID she started to lose her vision due to severe Macular Degeneration and therefore could no longer actively participate in some activities she loved. Nevertheless, she carried on like a trooper.

Family was everything to her and we will all miss her terribly.

A small reception will be held in the family home in Guelph on Wednesday, February 4th from noon to 2pm. Please contact family or Wall-Custance Funeral Home for more details.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Guelph General Hospital.

Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.

A tree will be planted in memory of Judy R. Van Raalte in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.