Judy Chetwin

Early December 3, 2025, Judy Chetwin (Cummings), age 75, and with her loving husband at her side, left us, having finally been able to find rest from the cancer she'd been battling for the last several years.

Born and raised in Syracuse, New York, Judy graduated from Syracuse University with a BA in Fine Arts and married her college sweetheart after graduation. Her 54 year journey with her husband, much of which was with the National Park Service where they both served their country as rangers, was marked by personal and departmental achievements.

Following her husband to Washington, DC she initially worked in variety of retail sale jobs since the National Park Service opposed dual career couples at the time. However, not one to accept unreasonable rules, she persisted until her talent was recognized and she landed a ranger position in the National Capital Parks where she served at the Jefferson Memorial, the Washington Monument, and at the White House. She continued with ranger assignments in New Jersey, California, New Mexico, and Colorado. Her passion was park interpretation, especially living history, where she pioneered for female rangers to portray male military figures in the National Park Service living history programs. She also performed ranger duties in firefighting, law enforcement, search and rescue, and as an EMT.

Judy never lost her passion for art. She founded her own business in 1982 and her work was frequently exhibited in juried shows throughout the west. Her favorite medium was watercolor, but her creative talent excelled in oils, hand illustrations, quilting, weaving, and jewelry. She was widely known for her high quality pine needle baskets.

In 2009, she retired from the Denver regional office where she served as an interpretive program planner and publications designer. She also served as the National Park Service’s volunteer coordinator for parks throughout the Rocky Mountains and southern deserts. Judy was especially proud of serving on several Federal Incident Management Teams and being selected to represent the U.S. on teams providing assistance to Australia and Morocco. She was also a FEMA certified instructor for the Incident Command System (ICS) and taught first responders and emergency managers throughout the country.

Although officially retired, she continued with the National Park Service as a volunteer, continued to teach ICS throughout the US, and served with wildland firefighting teams as a medical unit leader and as a public information officer. What spare time was left allowed her to focus on her art and to travel with her husband, including spending their 50th wedding anniversary in Antarctica.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Peggy and Francis “Scrappy” Cummings, and by her brother Dale. She leaves behind her husband Cliff; her daughter Jenifer; her sister Barbara (Ellen Burns); and several nieces and nephews.

Judy’s wishes were that in lieu of a funeral service or flowers friends and family consider honoring her memory by donating to the Habitat for Humanity. Be the wind beneath someone's wings.