Judi G. Friday

On Tuesday, March 1, 2022, Judith Anne Galles Friday earned her wings and joined other loved ones in heaven. Born on December 14, 1941, she was preceded in death by her adoring husband, Larry Martin Friday, her parents Herbert Lee Galles, Jr. and Fern Livingston Galles (Gigi and Papa), adoring grandparents Mary Virginia Blanton Livingston (Nana), and Herbert Louis Galles and Celeste Byrne Galles (BoBo and Baba); brother, H. Lee Galles, brother-in-law Lynd Mische and loving daughter Mary Celeste Friday.  She is survived by her daughters Debbie Friday Jagers (Martin Jagers), Elizabeth Friday Skoda (Marc Skoda), Son-in-law, Eddie Joe Abeyta, beloved grandchildren,  Joseph Jagers (Karissa Aldrete), Jacqueline Jagers, Adam Joseph “A.J.” Abeyta and Leah Abeyta (Joaquin Anaya), and great granddaughter Noelle Anaya (Ell-E), sister Karen Galles Mische and brother Rick Galles (Tina), brother-in-law David Gregston (Carla), adopted grandson Gregory Rael,  and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and many, many close friends.

Even as a small child, Judi was always a caregiver, always caring for everyone around her and making sure everyone was happy. She had a gift for “making someone’s day” with a card, or a call, or a visit, including not only her grandparents, aunts and uncles, but her parents’ friends and her friends and their families.

She grew up in Albuquerque and attended The Hockaday School for Girls in Dallas, Texas for High School, graduating in 1959. She loved Hockaday and had life long friends. She attended the University of New Mexico as a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She quickly met the love of her life, Larry, in the fall of 1959 and married in 1960. Their three girls were born in Albuquerque, but they quickly moved their family to Taos, New Mexico in the summer of 1970.

Larry and Judi were known for their open arms and wonderful entertaining, a true passion of theirs. Everyone was always welcome and looked forward to the annual parties, even the impromptu dinners at the Friday’s house. You were welcomed with a smile, a hug and a drink!

The Fridays loved being local car dealers! They were able to connect with their community and neighbors and that gave them both great joy. Judi started as the bookkeeper and ended up running the business after Larry’s retirement. She was a pioneer in the world of female automotive dealers, but she loved a good challenge. She was respected and acknowledged for her efforts on behalf of women as one of New Mexico’s Top 25 Women Business Leaders multiple years, she served on New Mexico Automotive Dealer Association Committees, and was a proud member of the General Motors’ Women’s Retail Network.

At home, Judi loved being a part of the community serving on numerous boards and committees including the Taos County Chamber of Commerce, Taos Art Museum, an original co-organizer of the Taos Mountain Balloon Rally, St. James Episcopal Church, the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande and so many more.  Her financial support over the years touched over 150 different local, state and national organizations. They believed in growing Taos and even opened the local roller rink.

Next to her family, which always came first, she loved her friends. She was the “party planner”, whether it was a weekly bridge game, a girls’ trip to California, a quick motor home trip to Coronado, NM or a trip to Indianapolis for the races,  Judi was always up for a great time with friends. She was always there for each and every one of them.

Her family knew her as “the glue” that kept everyone together. She cared for her parents, her brother, and her beloved Larry during their illnesses, but her family gave her infinite joy. She adored her grandparents and parents, was devoted to her children, but loved being a “Gigi”! Her grandchildren lit up her world, and she tried to make as many hockey games, gymnastics meets, cheerleading competitions, and baseball games she could! It was very important to her that all of her extended family needed to stay connected even as they all grew older, and other members passed on.

Memorial Service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church in Taos, New Mexico on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 2PM with “Judi’s Last Party” to be held at her home at 450 La Posta Road in Taos following the service from 3 to 5PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ambercare Hospice of Albuquerque or St. James Episcopal Church in Taos.

The family of Judi G. Friday has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. www.devargastaos.com. 1.866.657.4019.