In Loving Memory of Judy Lynn McNew

Judy Lynn McNew, age 57, passed away peacefully at home on June 1, 2022 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was born on September 24, 1964 in Van Buren, Arkansas to Diana Ritchie and J.D. McNew. She graduated from Van Buren Senior High School and later moved away from small town Arkansas. Judy met her loving wife, Alycia Erickson, in Austin, Texas and the two were married on April 22, 2006.

Judy worked for several different landscaping companies throughout her life–in Indiana, Texas, Colorado, and Florida. She filled managerial roles ranging from account manager to branch manager to chief operating officer. Judy took her leadership roles very seriously, especially her responsibility to support and develop [those around her, and was both loved and respected by those who reported to her. She was loved by coworkers and employees alike.

Judy was raised in the Pentecostal Christian tradition by parents who loved worship and singing as much as she did. After coming out as gay and moving to Austin, Judy became a devoted member of The Gathering Place and then upRising–formerly Metropolitan Community Church of Austin. Since moving to Colorado Springs, she has been part of Pikes Peak MCC, where her wife Alycia Erickson is pastor. At Pikes Peak MCC, Judy served as a leader in the church’s band, playing guitar and leading the church in praise songs with that inspiring voice of hers.

Everyone who knew Judy knew how much she loved fishing. Even more, Judy loved to take other people fishing, especially children–to introduce them to fishing, to help them improve their skills, and just to spend some quiet, peaceful time with them. Judy also loved camping with her wife, playing board and card games with friends and family, and besting her sons at ping pong. Judy may have been Dolly Parton’s biggest fan. Her favorite song of Dolly’s throughout her life was “Jolene” (which turned out to be her wife’s middle name). Judy also loved country music, contemporary praise music, and old-time music, especially the songs featured in the film Oh Brother Where Art Thou.

Judy is preceded in death by her sister, Becky Klein; brother, Michael McNew; her mother Diana Ritchie; and her father J.D. McNew. She is survived by her wife, Alycia Erickson of Colorado Springs, Colorado; her three sons, Jonathan Kolditz of Austin, Texas, James Kolditz of New York City, NY, and Joshua Kolditz of Denver, Colorado; her sister and brother-in-law, Brenda and Paul Womack of Paducah, Arkansas; sisters-in-law, Anna-Lisa Hunter and husband Park of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and Iantha Scheiwe and husband Joel of Hong Kong; nephews, Bryan Womack and wife LaCretia of Paducah, Arkansas, Doug Womack and wife Heidi of Everett, Washington, and Chad Womack of Paducah, Arkansas; nieces Amy and Brandy Gordon of Poplar Bluff, Missouri; and her special friends Tamesa Williams and Becky McCabe of Meadows of Dan, Virginia.

Judy’s family is deeply grateful for all the support and help of Judy’s medical team through UC Health, the great staff at Memorial Hospital, and the amazing team at Pikes Peak Hospice. They all did everything they could to make Judy’s last weeks and months as comfortable as possible.

No words can describe the effect of the love, prayers, and support of their church, Pikes Peak Metropolitan Community Church.

Any memorial funds or donations can be made in Judy’s honor to any of the following organizations…

Pikes Peak Hospice (https://pikespeakhospice.org)

Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (https://projecthealingwaters.org/about-us)

Colorado Youth Outdoors (https://www.coloradoyo.org)

Pikes Peak Metropolitan Community Church (https://ppmcc.org)