Judy Delein

Judith, “Judy” Delein, 3rd child of Harry and Virginia Kintz, passed away on April 9, 2026 at home surrounded by family and friends. Judy was born on February 16, 1944 in Auburn, NY and spent her childhood growing up in Schoharie, NY with her brother and sisters Wynn, Susan and Ginny. Her parents owned and ran a plastics parts manufacturing plant, HARVA, in which they all participated in working for and learning business skills.

After high school, she graduated from the esteemed Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Boston, and her career took off from there. Armed with business and impeccable secretarial skills, she moved to Manhattan and worked at various companies – her main love, working at NBC studios. She then moved for a job opportunity in Schenectady, NY, where she met and fell in love with her husband of 59 years, Lt. Fred Delein. They married in her hometown on October 1, 1966 and from that moment on were an unstoppable force in business and life!

A move to California included the birth of 3 children within the span of 14 months; 1969 - Chris and Jeff (twins), 1970 - Melissa. As a busy mother of 3, Judy and Fred decided to follow an opportunity in Colorado, where they planted their roots forever. As a full-time, stay at home mom, Judy volunteered for an ER, and obtained her Colorado Real Estate license in her “free-time.” In 1976, they seized an opportunity to start their own HVAC business, Colorado Chiller Maintenance, CCM, which they ran for 21 years. Working at night keeping the company books and finances afloat, CCM afforded Judy the freedom during the day to be an intensely involved mom while pursuing her hobbies to keep her intelligent and active mind stimulated.

Judy’s physical health was always an important part of her life and the amount of activities she did would make even a 20 year old exhausted. She was an avid tennis player and for over 50 years never missed a season! She loved to play and moreover, loved the friendships it brought. She rarely missed her Saturday aerobic classes and had practiced Yoga since her days in NYC. She adored gardening and everyone who visited her home could see that adoration inside and out with her beautiful ‘floral artwork.’ Her mother’s love of antiques spilled onto her and in time she started her own antique business, “An Inviting Place”, which she put hours of energy and love into running, “for fun.” This business also brought with it lifelong friends. In addition to these activities, her insatiable desire to read and learn was unmatched! She was a part of book clubs and attended infinite classes to feed her thirst for knowledge. She also was privileged to volunteer in the distinguished role as a docent, (certified tour guide), for Cherokee Ranch in Sedalia. Her humor, energy and love of everything that the job held was a treat in her busy life and she looked forward to being there with her friends at the “Castle.”

But Judy’s main hobby was being with her grandchildren: Tilmann, Annabella, Kai, Aidan and Max. As a petite, spitfire of a woman, Nana was happiest when she was with them. Her inner child shined and she was like an endless ball of energy. She did everything to be with them and make them happy by sending them little cards and gits out of the blue, and setting up special one-on-one outings on the town to make sure each felt special! She hammered into them the importance and inspiration that travelling brought to one’s life, and she backed that up by taking them with Papa on special trips around the country. Each child had a special bond with their Nana and couldn’t wait to spend time with her. They all adored her!!! But her favorite ‘Nana time’ and theirs, was Christmastime when they all helped decorate the house and spend Christmas Eve together. No-one ever missed it because it was the warmest and happiest time for all of us!

Judy is loved! She was a force of nature that will never be matched on this Earth! She was truly one-of-a-kind. Competitive and outspoken, loving and thoughtful, energetic and hyper, intelligent and insightful, and absolutely gorgeous inside and out! Her soul will shine throughout time and anyone who knew her was lucky to have felt her spirit and energy!!! Hope you are playing tennis with the best, sweet Mama. You are sorely missed, but forever in our hearts and minds!!!

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