Judith Rae (Winninghoff) Loobey

On Tuesday, August 9, 2022 Judith “Judy” Loobey passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her family. Judith Rae Winninghoff was born on September 13, 1940 to John Wilbur “Pete” and Elizabeth “Beth” (McRae) Winninghoff in Butte, MT. Judy was raised and educated in Philipsburg and graduated from Granite High School in 1958.

She learned at an early age the importance of a good work ethic, and she would later pass it onto her own children. She spent much of her youth working at her parents’ store, the original Sweet Palace in downtown Philipsburg. She helped her father, Pete, pull taffy and make fudge and candy. When asked if she could remember his recipes, she said that she tried to learn from him, but he kept all the lists of ingredients in his head and never wrote them down. She said it was frustrating and difficult to follow along because he just mixed it all together from memory. She did; however, master his divinity recipe. Her mother, Beth, not only handled the day-to-day operations at the Sweet Palace, but she worked as the local florist for many years. It was from Beth that Judy learned the art of floral arrangement, an experience that sparked her lifelong love of floral cultivation and design.

Not long after graduating, Judy spied a handsome man walking across the street in Philipsburg. Little did she know, he had noticed her too. She and Allan “Al” Loobey were married in Drummond on Nov. 5, 1960 and settled in Philipsburg. In 1961 they welcomed the first of five children. They moved to Missoula in 1963 where Al was a partner in a logging operation. In 1968 Judy and Al moved back to Philipsburg to pursue further opportunities for Al in the logging and mining industries. From that point on they would remain in Philipsburg to raise their family.

In 1975 Judy and Al purchased The Gallery Cafe and Floral (former Sweet Palace) from her mother “Beth”. Judy ran the business while Al continued to mine. Not only was Judy known for being a wonderful cook, but she also created some of the most beautiful floral pieces and arrangements for proms, holidays, special events, funerals, and weddings. The Gallery had truly become a family business, as her children and grandchildren almost always found their way onto the work schedule.

Tragedy struck on Feb. 12, 1981 when Al was killed in a mining accident at Black Pine Mine. Although devastated, Judy rose to the challenge and continued to operate the Gallery and raised her five children on her own. Building from her experience at The Gallery, Judy purchased and refurbished the Antlers Restaurant & Lounge (currently Silver Mill) in 1994 and operated it successfully until selling it in 2003. She continued to operate the Gallery until she retired in 2009.

During her career Judy was one of the most successful business owners in Philipsburg. It was always her goal to not only employ locals, but also provide the community with great places to meet, eat, drink while offering a little slice of small-town hospitality.  Her heart and soul went into operating both businesses, and she enjoyed being able to provide that service to the community.

Judy’s talents were not limited by any means. She enjoyed music and learned to play the guitar, ukulele, piano, and organ. She also had a beautiful voice and could belt out a “yodel” upon request. It is rumored that she often used her yodeling ability to help sell newspapers on the street in front of her parents’ store.  She loved singing with her sisters Margery “Dutch” Metesh and Theresa Jean Getzlaff. Judy and Dutch were often called upon to sing together at funerals and weddings. Many family dinners and picnics with her sisters included a guitar or standing around the piano singing their favorite tunes.

Judy’s faith in God and the church started early in her life.  She began playing the organ for St. Philip’s Catholic Church and choir during high school and continued playing for nearly six decades. She paid great attention to detail in the songs that she chose. Her children and grandchildren always remember her diligently searching through her music and hymnals. They would sit and listen intently as she practiced and played on her home organ to prep for Sunday Mass. She felt that it was important to choose music and songs that would be familiar and uplifting to the congregation and bring them closer to God.

Always an active person, she participated in the local bowling league and was a member of the 300 club. Her adventures did not stop there. In her 40’s, Judy and her close friends decided to learn how to downhill ski. She even crocheted her own white ski hat with the biggest pom-pom ever seen at Discovery Basin. Judy loved to travel. One of her first trips was a girls’ trip to California after high school graduation. She would later travel to Hong Kong, China and Seoul, Korea with her daughter, Jonelle, who was playing volleyball for an international volleyball exhibition. After her children were grown, Judy and her favorite Aunt Marge, cousin Barbara, and one or more of her three daughters, son Allan, granddaughter Kyrie, and friends embarked on many adventures that would take her to San Diego, San Francisco, CA, Yahatz, OR, Louisville, KY, New Orleans, LA, Boston, MA, Las Vegas, NV, several places in Alaska, Hawaii, Italy, Austria, and Germany. A highlight during one of her trips included getting to see her cousin, Tom Enman, in Salzburg, Austria, who was coaching singers who traveled from the University of Miami, Florida. She would often visit Jonelle, Clinton, and grandchildren in Grand Junction, CO, Ponca City, OK, Houston, TX, Louisville, KY, and Delta Junction, AK. On two trips she went deep sea fishing in Alaska and caught the biggest halibut on both occasions. Family was always important to Judy, and she was more than willing to jump on a plane or ride in a car for births of grandchildren, graduations, weddings, and any other important occasion or sporting event.

Judy is preceded in death by parents Pete and Beth, husband Al, sisters Margery (Dutch) Metesh, Mary Catherine, brother John (Oreo) Winninghoff, many other relatives and close friends. She is survived by her sister Jean Getzlaff, her children:  Allan, Theresa, Cheryl (Todd) Hanson, Jonelle (Bill) Bowen, Clint (Jen) Loobey.  She will be missed dearly by her 11 grandchildren:  Kyrie, Joshua Loobey, Jessica (Justin) Bennett, Heather (Adam) Mace, Steven (Cara) Dunkerson, Tara (fiancé Justin Belding) Dunkerson, Elizabeth, Gunnar Hanson, Cooper, Andrea Bowen, and Kiya Loobey.  Her 3 great grandchildren:  Ridge, Reegan Mace, and Beckham Dunkerson.  Also, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, August 19, 2022 at St. Philip’s Catholic Church with the Vigil Service starting at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. There will be one hour of visitation prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude's Children Hospital 262 Danny Thomas PL Memphis, TN 38105