July 1, 1940 – October 24, 2026
Judy Marie Dekelver was born on July 1, 1940, in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Judy was raised in the Heisler and Strome areas.
First and foremost, as a dedicated mother, she raised her five children in Strome and then in Cam- rose during her marriage to Lyle Thorburn.
Judy later married Glenn Robbins and lived in Camrose, Cremona, and then Cochrane, AB.
She continued to live in Cochrane after they parted and then returned to Camrose in 2010, where she enjoyed time with family and friends.
Judy enjoyed dancing, crochet and knitting, reading and visiting. She embraced nursing and worked as a health care aid for most of her working life. She believed strongly in proper care and preserving dignity at all times.
Determined to always make life better, Judy worked with others wherever she lived, to organize and improve.
She and some friends founded the Strome Willing Workers to enhance the town playground, but the group went on to complete many community projects for decades!
In Cochrane, she headed a group of seniors to lobby for funding to get supplies for their drop-in centre.
Living in Heritage Manor in Camrose, she worked with other ladies to make mittens, toques and blankets for the Learning Together program for young moms going back to school.
Raising toy and miniature poodles became a passion that led to grooming and eventually co-owning the One Stop Pet Shop in Camrose for many years. She became an expert on the care of a large variety of animals.
Right up to shortly before her passing, she was overjoyed to have her family bring in dogs to visit her in Seasons.
Judy’s greatest joy was her family. Playing cards, pranks or just spending time with her children and grandchildren meant that every visit created a lasting memory. She told them all that there was nothing they couldn’t achieve in life.
Even as dementia took over a lot of her life, that never changed.
Judy passed away at St. Mary’s Hospital in Camrose, Alberta, on October 24, 2026, at the age of 86 years.
She is survived by her children Shelly (Russ) Dalueg, Cameron Thorburn, Susan (Jim) Hertel, Lance Thorburn and Kim Thorburn. She is also survived by ten grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her grandson Brandon Hertel; niece Arlene Simmons; sister Amy (Ian)
Laing and other siblings; and former husbands Lyle Thorburn and Glenn Robbins.
A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Friday, November 6, 2026, at Burgar Memorial Chapel, 4817 – 51 Avenue Camrose.
If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions in Judy’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Alberta.
To send condolences, please visit www.burgarfuneralhome.com.
