Judith Finley Obituary

Finley
Judith Reid Finley
March 11, 1936
August 21, 2023

Longtime Colorado Springs historian, librarian, public servant, author and mother Judith Anne Reid Finley died in her home on August 21, 2023.
She was 87.
A third-generation resident of the city, Judy was born on March 11, 1936, to Juan and Margaret Killian Reid. During her lifetime she saw Colorado Springs' population grow by 13 times.
She worked in Colorado College's Tutt Library for 21 years, coordinating the special collections of historic photos and conducting oral history interviews. She published three books about Colorado Springs: The Century Chest Letters of 1901; Time Capsule 1900; and Coming of Age in Colorado Springs: 1945-1955. She contributed articles on local history to periodicals including Kiva magazine.
Her lifelong involvement with the CC community began as coach Juan Reid's daughter, supervising her younger brothers, Robin and John, where they lived on what became CC's soccer field. She excelled as a CC student (B.A. 1958, M.A. 1966).
Judy's public service included six years as a city planning commissioner and six years as a member of the parks and recreation advisory board. She strongly advocated for protection of parks and open space.
She sang with the Colorado Springs Chorale. She wrote and published poetry. She traveled in Europe, China and South America and enjoyed camping in the Rocky Mountains. She cherished her friends and, even in her final years, managed to attend meetings of the Westerners and the Women's Literary Club.
She was a lover of starry skies, aspen trees, snowy mountains, and her family.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, retired CC professor and dean David Finley, their children Bruce, Karen and Laura, her brother John, six grandchildren and a great grand stepdaughter.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Nov. 11 in the All Souls Unitarian Church, 730 N. Tejon St.