Judith Mary (Palmberg) Kujala

Judith Mary (Palmberg) Kujala passed away at Clatsop Retirement Village in Astoria on June 16. Judy was known for her kindness, compassion and her beautiful smile. Judy had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer weeks before she passed away. She was 85 years old.

Judy was born on Dec. 21, 1937, in Scappoose, to Herb and Alma Palmberg. The family relocated to Astoria, where Judy attended Astoria High School. Judy was a member of the Honor Society, Pepsters Dance Squad and was selected the 1956 Astoria Regatta Festival Queen after her senior year.

Judy attended Oregon State University, where she was a member of the rally squad cheering at Oregon State University football and basketball games. Judy graduated from Oregon State University with a master’s degree in English.

Judy met her future husband, Norman Kujala, when they both were students at Oregon State University. They wed on Nov. 21, 1964. Norman and Judy were a great team, operating a charter boat in Depoe Bay called the Judy K, and eventually settling in Warrenton and starting Oregon Ocean Seafoods, which sold fresh seafood to markets up and down the West Coast. Judy faithfully kept the books and provided sales and marketing support to the business up until 2010.

Judy was devoted to raising her four children, sons Mark, Paul and Andy, and her daughter, Marie. Judy was a fantastic chef and instilled an appreciation for music in her kids. She was a fantastic dancer, and relived her rally squad days at class reunions at both Astoria High School and on the field at Oregon State University during homecoming football games.

Judy had a deep faith and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Warrenton.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman; and her brother, David Palmberg.

She was grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren, Alma and Charlie (children of Paul and his wife, Renee), and Karlie and Kaia (children of Mark and his wife, Alana).

A celebration of life for Judy and Norm will be held at 1 p.m. at the Loft at the Red Building in Astoria on Aug. 13.

Memorial contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church in Warrenton or Special Olympics Oregon — Clatsop County.