Judith M. Kirby, 65, Former artist in both needlework design and painting

Judith worked as an artist in both needlework design and painting. Her early love of architecture and flowers became the inspiration throughout her career. We know of her charts of Victorian houses in Counted Cross Stitch, she most recently turned to painting English Cottages set in lush perennial gardens.

The images she enjoyed painting are taken from her extensive travels throughout the United States, Europe and the far reaches of her mind. In the past 10 years she has transformed from being a world-renown needleart and craft designer to her first love of painting. Working both in watercolor and oil she was able to paint a world of flowers, picturesque houses and gardens filled with light and color.

Judith studied Liberal Arts, Fine Arts and Journalism at Ohio State University, Mexico City College and the University of Oregon. After leaving the University of Oregon she moved to San Francisco where she pursued a career as an assistant to a European Fabric Designer. Eventually she purchased her own fabric shop. It was there that she began designing needleart and eventually began publishing books as well as needlework patterns.

Judith is well known throughout the US for her work and in 1985 she was co-author of an award winning publication in the Needlecraft Industry. She has also completed as series of prints and note cards of lighthouses, scenic places and English Cottages, which are available at many shops.

Judith is survived by 2 sisters: Linda Kurak (Tim) and Beth Smith (Gary) both of Avon Lake and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Edwin J. and Gertrude Marie (nee Textor) Miller.

A celebration of her life will take place at a later date in Oregon. The family suggest memorial contributions be forwarded to New Life Hospice, 5255 N. Abbe Rd., Elyria, OH 44035. Arrangements are by the Busch-Burmeister Family Chapel, Avon Lake.