Obituary

Judith Steels
Abburrex Burmese and Asians

My good friend Judith, Judge of Burmese, Asians and Rex, died on Monday 28th November after a brave battle against cancer. She will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with Sam and the family.

 

Joyce Dell

I was very sad to read the news that Judith has lost her brave fight with cancer. Though we lived a great many miles from each other we spoke on the phone and met up at shows, sharing many laughs as well as serious conversations about our beloved breeds and the “Pet Sheep”! Judith bred some lovely cats, most notably I guess the lovely cream Burmese boy Gr Ch Abburex Cream Cracker, but some of Judith’s Asians also bowled me over!

 

My sympathies to Judith’s family, sleep well Judith, you will be missed.

 

Sarndra (Devereux)
Rainsong Burmese & Asians

I was saddened to see that Judith had passed away. I knew Judith many years from shows and will never forget her kindness when my late step-grandmother was beaten up and left for dead in her own home in the 1980's. Judith always asked how she was getting on after her ordeal - sadly my step-grandmother died 13 months later but I always spoke to Judith at shows when I was stewarding and then when I became a probationer in 1995.

 

Steve Morris
GCCF Judge

This is a tribute to my dear friend, Judith, who died after a long fight against ovarian cancer.

A very private, proud person who never became involved in the politics of the cat fancy but will for ever be remembered for producing some of the most beautiful Burmese and Asians I have ever seen. Judith's prefix Abburrex reflects her love of her original cats Abyssinians, Burmese and Rex. She played an important part in the early days of the introduction of reds, creams and tortie Burmese, the most famous of which was GD CH Abburrex Cream Cracker. Judith stewarded for me (even accompanying me on a judging trip to Sweden) for many years before becoming a full judge of Burmese and later of Asians and Rex. A reliable, fair minded and well respected judge. Her love of all animals was well known. Her animal family was varied (many of which were rescues) from birds, tortoises, rabbits and chinchillas, cats, dogs, horses and rare breed sheep, two arrogant llamas and briefly a lively wallaby. Judith's immeasurable knowledge and understanding of animals was second to none. I thank her for being such a loyal friend for over 30 years. My thoughts are with Sam and the family.

Joyce Dell.