Judith Kay (Smith) Sinks

Judith "Judi" Kay (Smith) Sinks, born Wednesday, September 25, 1940, passed away on the morning of Wednesday, June 14, 2023, in Albuquerque, NM. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mitch Sinks; her parents M.W. "Chisel" Smith and Mary Iola "Jerry" Smith; sister Marjorie Miller; and niece Ginny Miller.
She was born at the old St Joseph's hospital in Albuquerque and grew up living in the North Valley with her parents, Chisel and Jerry, and her sister Marj. Chisel owned several construction companies and was influential in helping build the city and the state - which gave Judi a big history here and one she was very proud of and dutifully touted till the day she died. She was one of the first 'Las Doñitas de la Sinfonia' in 1958 (which we would later call The Señoritas).
Schooled at St. Vincent Academy, graduated from Valley High School, and then attended UNM where she studied drama. It was at UNM, while in Chi Omega Sorority, where she met the man she would first be married to, and together they had their son Steve Westman.
In 1981 she met Mitch Sinks, the big love of her life, and married him on Friday, February 5, 1982.
The summer parties which she and Mitch threw were legendary. Judi's circle of friends was vast age-wise and temperament-wise. She was a "house mom" to Steve's friends from Albuquerque Academy and a "house mom" to Steve's friends during his UNM days.
She was a beautiful poet and a wonderful painter. She also showed her style while designing her spectacular home in Sandia Heights in the 70's. She loved her birds and her garden and her Sandia Mountains, but most of all she loved her friends and her family which included her sweet Scotties thru all the years (the Heathers/the Hannahs/the Heddy).
She is survived by her son, Steve Westman; and her niece Katie Benedict; great-niece Amanda Prouty; and her great-nephew-in-law Chris Prouty; plus her most beloved great-great-nephews Brendyn, Caleb, Zac and Josh Prouty, all of Weatherford, TX; and best friend Arlene Formhals Butler.
Steve will forever be grateful for his friends who held him up during the crazy 4 weeks - to all of the nurses and techs and housekeepers on the 7th floor of Presbyterian Hospital and to Dr. Arugunta - to the staff at Encompass - to the caregivers at Retreat for Home (especially Charlene who stood with Steve as Judi took her last breath) - to Randi Gallegos and Legacy Hospice - to Shawn Coey at FRENCH - and most of all to a special angel named Meredith Waskow who made sure Judi's toenails were painted red again at the end.
By her request there will be a cremation with no formal service.
In true Judi style there will be an Irish Wake held on (her favorite holiday) Tuesday, October 31 of this year.
Per the immortal words of Jerry Smith "well, now they're dead", in lieu of cut flowers, consider making a contribution thru the NM BioPark Society. Judi very much cherished our Rio Grande Zoo (now known as ABQ BioPark Zoo), with a long history of supporting them. She was a fan of the Asian Elephants, the Malayan Tiger, as well as the Mandarin Ducks (because they mate for life). She wanted so much to see the upcoming ASIA exhibit. Contributions can be made online at https://www.bioparksociety.org/store/product/donation/. Or mailed to NM BioPark Society, 1320 Iron Ave SW. Albuquerque NM 87102. Or call Megan McCormick at 505.764.6297 - she can make sure the money gets to whatever designation you decide.

She's already so terribly missed. I've been the luckiest boy to have had this woman as my mother. All my kindness and creativity and knack for caring come from being raised by someone who loved her son with such fierceness and pride and laughter. My heart is forever shattered.