Judith Wang

MISSOULA - Judith L. Wang, 56, died Friday, September. 25, 2009, of injuries received when her vehicle was hit by another vehicle while she was returning home from a Domestic Violence Conference in Billings. The collision occurred near Warm Springs, on Interstate 90.



Judy's name comes from Judith of the Bible, a warrior woman who, in ancient times, delivered her people from oppression. Judy Wang was a woman who was intensely driven to help others, to ensure justice, to improve the legal system and to make the world a better place. She will be deeply missed by all those statewide and beyond who benefited from her trainings and other advocacy and by those of us who knew and loved her personally.



Judy was born in Oakland, Calif., on December. 2, 1952, to Astrid W. and L. Edwin Wang. Judy's family moved to Minneapolis in 1956. Judy graduated from Edina High School in 1970. She attended Montana State University and was awarded her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 1974. Always choosing challenge for herself, she went to work in the intensive care unit at Community Medical Center.



A woman of strong conscience and conviction, Judy signed up for the Peace Corps in 1976, serving for two years teaching nursing in Belize City, Belize. Following that international experience, she returned to Missoula to work in the ICU at both Missoula hospitals. Her childhood skill in persuasion and debate paid off with completion of her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Montana in 1984 (while working as a nurse throughout graduate school).



Her first position as an attorney was a clerkship with Workers Compensation Judge Timothy Reardon in Helena, followed by working for Terry Trieweiler in Whitefish. From there, she came for what she assumed to be a transition job with the City Attorney's Office in Missoula. Instead, it became a 23-year career. As the assistant city attorney, she supervised the criminal cases and the legal interns, as well as routinely prosecuting domestic violence and driving under the influence. She drafted domestic violence legislation and actively lobbied for it on both sides of the aisle in the Montana Legislature, making friends and admirers everywhere. Judy was a founding member of the Missoula Family Violence Council and its chairwoman for more than 10 years. She was a leader in the development of free legal assistance for victims of domestic violence. Judy's skill and knowledge as a prosecutor were exemplified by her thorough and effective prosecutions. She rarely lost a case. She also served on the Attorney General's Fatality Review Team, traveling all over Montana seeking to design "best practices" for the legal system and volunteer services related to violence against women.



Judy's work was her passion. On every level she sought to relieve suffering, hold perpetrators accountable and even help perpetrators to seek counseling. Frightened children who came to her office received stuffed animals. Downtrodden women came away feeling believed, supported and knowing that Judy would fight for justice for them. In 2004, she received a lifetime achievement award from the Montana Attorney General's Office, the Montana State Bar Association and the Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.



Judy and Carl Ibsen were married March 14, 1992. They loved each other, their family and their joyous time at Flathead Lake. Judy took on the role of stepmom to Carl's sons and helped them through high school and even college. Judy was incredibly proud of Leif and Trevor's military careers. She adored her grandchildren and loved playing with them.



Beginning when Tuenny McCoy was only 8 years old, Judy became her "big sister" through Big Brothers and Sisters. Judy thoroughly enjoyed the time she spent with Tuenny each week for countless years and also helped Tuenny when she went to college and graduated from MSU in architecture.



In the brief periods Judy was not working, she was an avid gardener, expert on antiques and had an eye for pattern and decorating that was remarkable. Each room in her home was beautiful, perfect. Her purple and coral iris beds were stunning and caused people to stop in wonder at the beauty she had created. Taking after her mother, Judy made dozens of cookies every Christmas season, which she generously shared with City Hall, friends and family. She had a keen sense of humor and gracefully handled widely different political views in her family.



Judy is preceded in death by her parents, L. Edwin and Astrid W. Wang (both of whom died within the last few months).



She is survived by her beloved husband, Carl Ibsen of Missoula; brother, David Wang (MunCha) of Kapolei, Hawaii; sister, Linnea Wang (fiance Peter Husby) of Missoula; stepsons Capt. Leif Ibsen (Mary) of Fort Lewis, Wash. and Capt. Trevor Ibsen (Genna) of Fort Harrison; daughter of her heart, Tuenny McCoy of Bozeman; and grandchildren, Bryce, Gabriel, Gracey and Tucker; nieces and nephews, Arien Johnson of Stevensville, Bjor Johnson of Missoula, Johann Johnson of Seattle, Ga., Stephen Wang of Kapolei, and Kristine Kanne (Mike) of Minneapolis; and great-nieces, Madeline, Holland and Aria.



A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October. 3, at the Missoula Alliance Church, 100 E. Foss Court in Missoula.



Read Judith Wang's Obituary and Guestbook.