Obituary – Judy Cairns

It is with sadness that we share the news of the passing of a member of the CTRF community

Judy Cairns 1943 – 2021

Judith Basinger-Cairns beloved wife of Malcolm Cairns has passed away, from complications following a brain aneurysm, at the Civic Hospital in Ottawa on Aug 26 aged 78.

Born on August 6, 1943 in Cincinnati Ohio, she lived in Elyria for 20 years and graduated from Elyria High School with the Class of 61. Daughter of Richard and Gale Stith now deceased, she is survived by her two children Scott and Brooks Basinger, by her two step-children Alastair and Michael Cairns, by her two sisters Donna Slocomb and Barbara Terrell, several nieces and nephews, and by her first husband Scott Basinger Sr. Together with grandchildren Halle and Johanna and great grandchildren Robyn and Wren, the family is mourning her unexpected passing.

Educated at Syracuse University where she earned a Masters degree in fine arts, she spent the first part of her career teaching high school in California and Texas, and later teaching art at Canterbury and Brookfield high schools in Ottawa. As a teacher, she had a very particular ability to inspire talented students and to encourage them into seeking further education and careers in the fine arts. She was also a long-time member of the congregation at the Anglican Church of St. Barnabas at 70 James St. in Ottawa.

Dispersal of the immediate family across the continent, as they grew up, resulted in their many successes but meant that personal contact was less frequent than she might have liked, especially during COVID. However, it did provide her an earlier opportunity to travel widely overseas, both before and after her retirement, and it gave her a wealth of experience of foreign places and cultures, and very many fond memories.

Latterly, Judy was able to spend her winters at the family beach condo in St Augustine, Florida where she made several close friends, especially the Dolan’s and the Wipping’s, and a circle of lady friends which met periodically for lunch. When at home in Ottawa she became an avid gardener, enjoyed boating on the Rideau River, book reading, watching classic movies, dining with friends, and strolling and chatting with neighbours while walking her dog Linus. She loved cooking and entertaining, and could sometimes be found whistling a mean tune while she was working.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the doctors and nurses at the Ottawa Civic Hospital. Her deeply held Christian faith, and wonderful and loving companionship with Malcolm over forty years, has left an indelible mark and she will be sorely missed by all who loved her.

There will be a reception in her memory at the Capital Funeral Home and Cemetery at 3700 Prince of Wales Drive, in Manotick on September 9th at 4 pm. The following day at 11am there will be an Anglican funeral service at St Barnabas Church in Ottawa. Following the service, her remains will be interred at a private ceremony at the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St Barnabas Church.