Judy Engeldinger

She led a quiet life, yet an impactful one. She was intelligent and rebellious. She loved deeply, and was deeply loved in return. And in the end, that is what makes life worth living.

On December 17, 1952, Judith Engeldinger (most commonly Judy, or Jude in her youth; her government name was reserved for her parents or for business matters only) was born in Park Falls, Wisconsin to Ruth and Darold Engeldinger. As a young child she also spent time in Ashland, Wisconsin, and shared memories of skating on Lake Superior and making mischief with her elder brother and many of her (over 40!) first cousins.

Before her 10th birthday, she became an Oregonian when her family moved to Eugene. A clarinet player, she traveled with Sheldon High School for Bands to Britain in 1970, where three Eugene high schools made what seemed impossible, possible. They spent five weeks that summer traveling through Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales, England, West Germany, East Germany (including East and West Berlin), Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Years later she regaled her daughters with tales of that trip, including kissing the Blarney Stone; the group narrowly avoiding danger due to the Troubles; and of meeting her lifelong friend Anna, who would later be honorary godmother to her children. Though she lived in Corvallis whilst attending Oregon State University, Bend in summers with her parents, and she resided in Portland for a few years, Eugene was always home.

As is the case with all parents, her family was of utmost importance. She was the proud mother of two daughters, Aesha Engeldinger and Sasha Massingham. Arts and crafts, days at the Oregon Coast, science experiments, attending theatre and community events, and more are happy memories that her daughters have of their time with their mom. Of course, as the family grew, sharing in the birth of her grandson and granddaughter are particularly special memories. She was fortunate to have many years to make cherished memories with her teenage grandson and almost three witnessing the adventures of her princess peanut. Judy never met a stranger; give her a few minutes with someone she hadn’t met and she soon had a new, fascinating friend.

Following in her parent’s footsteps, she became a member of Meridian Chapter Order of Eastern Star and held a life membership. She was the first member to be installed Worthy Matron of her chapter for a second time. She again followed in her mother’s footsteps by serving as Secretary for over a decade and her father’s by serving as a Grand Representative. As a teenager she was a member of Job’s Daughters Bethel 77; she became even more involved years later when her own daughters joined the same Bethel. She served on many committees, chaperoned lots of events, and held various adult council roles. Through her work in Job’s Daughters, she provided support and encouragement to many members, and had many unique experiences with her own daughters. She received the Oregon Rose award in 2003 for her commitment to the Order.

Her professional life was varied throughout the years. She worked in hospitality, the service industry, and as seasonal farm staff. She once worked as an international exchange program manager, recruiting host families and placing students from Japan with Eugene-area families, as well as planning nearly daily activities and excursions during their time in Oregon. (From her time in high school with her own AFS sister, also Judith, to being a host mother of many years for visitors from Japan and Brazil, this work was particularly enriching and meaningful!) For over 25 years, she worked at Eugene Grocery Outlet in various roles including store management until her retirement in 2025. During her time at Grocery Outlet, she met quite a few characters, made good friends, and enjoyed bantering with her customers.

Judy enjoyed travel! She visited Dominican Republic as a teenager. After organizing and assisting with many fundraisers in the years preceding, she had the good fortune to be selected as chaperone for the Yujin Gakuen trip to Japan for Sasha’s 5th grade class. Because experiencing travel was important to her, she organized homestays for Aesha to travel throughout Japan simultaneously. Judy later traveled to Australia—again arranging a homestay experience for her daughters, their two friends, and herself—as well as Canada. She even surprised her children with a spring break trip to the Bahamas one year. Her final international trip was an adventure to Türkiye (with an afternoon in Germany) with Aesha in 2013. Of course she traveled domestically as well, most often visiting her daughter—and later, granddaughter—in Chicago. Recent memorable trips include spending Independence Day in Seaside, Oregon and Christmas in Illinois, both last year, with her children and grandchildren.

She had many hobbies and interests and was incredibly creative and crafty. A little known fact is that she holds the copyright to a song she co-wrote. She encouraged her children to participate in craft, coloring, and baking contests. For many years, she would select recipes for each of her daughters, and she and the girls would spend the week prior to the Lane County Fair baking up a storm at all hours to enter various goodies for competition. (Her ability to schedule this bake-a-palooza was a marvel.) This culminated in a final year of “fair baking” when her daughters baked almost 50 cakes, breads, pies, and more under her supervision. Sewing, baking, needlepoint, games, cross stitch, watching TV, cheering for the Oregon Ducks, and spending time with family are just a few of her hobbies throughout the years.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Darold Engeldinger, and several dear friends and family. She is survived by her daughters; her grandchildren, Harper and Aurora; her brother, Ron; her aunt, Linda Schultz; and many friends and extended family members. An informal, open house style celebration of life will be held Sunday, April 26 from 1-3 pm at Charnel Mulligan Park, 1688 Charnelton Street, Eugene. Please come share refreshments, stories, and memories, as her children would love to hear them.