Strickland, Judith Allen

Judith Allen Strickland, 85, passed away on August 15, 2021, in Titusville, Florida, where she lived for the past 9 years. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on February 4, 1936, to Brent and Lily Strickland, she lived in St. Louis, with a brief stint in New Jersey, until her father was transferred to Ironton, Ohio. She lived across the river in Ashland, Kentucky, graduating from Ashland Senior High in 1953.

She returned to St. Louis where she attended Washington University School of Fine Art, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1957. She then worked in commercial art, eventually owning her own freelance studio. Along the way she found her passion: dogs. She trained with Mound City Obedience Training Club, then worked for Kennelwood, and finally opened the Judy Strickland Dog Training Club in downtown Kirkwood, thus making dog training her vocation and art her hobby. Her business hosted a charity event every Christmas, dressing patrons’ dogs in Santa outfits and taking their pictures with Santa. She and one of her Golden Retrievers, Gypsy, rang the bells for the Salvation Army in downtown St. Louis.

In 1994 she built a house in House Springs next to four friends who shared a love of dogs, wildlife, the woods, and gardening. Nine years ago, she moved to Titusville, Florida, to be near her sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew. In Titusville she continued her art, finally mastering watercolor and combining art and animals with watercolors of wildlife mothers and babies.

Judy is predeceased by her grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, her cousin Ed Foegeding (Margaret), cousin Mary Tohtz (Cliff), and other cousins and friends. She is survived by her sister Leslie Strickland Talley (Luther); niece Terri Talley Venters (Garrison) and their sons David and Michael; nephew Damon Brent Talley (Gisele) and children Malia, Leila, Rebecca, and Luccas; cousin Phyllis Foegeding Kuyath and her children and grandchildren; Wendy Tohtz Slaby (Gerry); Cliff Tohtz, Jr. (Pam) and children; and other descendants. She leaves behind two good friends, Joan Marsh, and her best friend from college, Mary Margarita Autenrieb Pizzini..

Judy will be buried next to her parents and grandparents in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Lucas and Hunt Road, St. Louis. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, post-pandemic. Arrangements are by Kutis Funeral Home,Inc., Affton Chapel, 10151 Gravois, St. Louis, MO.