BUCHANAN, Judy Buchanan

It is with deep sadness that we announce the untimely passing of Judy Buchanan, nee Mary Doreen Judith Wedge, at the Victoria General Hospital in Victoria, BC, on October 15, 2025. Although she faced health challenges in the past few years, she had rallied and was living a good life before her tragic accident on October 10th, while she was doing something she loved – walking in nature.

Judy, aka, Mom, Nonny, Jude, Jude-woman was born in Saint John, NB on April 12, 1943, and soon after adopted by her parent’s “Betty” and Joe Wedge. She recounted a pretty idyllic childhood in terms of attention and adoration. She attended Catholic schools throughout her youth until attending Nursing school. During that time, she met a country boy who longed to be a city boy – David Buchanan. That union began in 1963 until his death in 2022. They had two daughters, Jennifer (Doug) and Sara (Colin), and five grandchildren – Austen, Luc, Lauren, Halle and Jesse. We have so many wonderful memories of mom/Nonny as she brought a light wherever she went.

Judy’s career was a central focus of her adult life right up until they moved from Saint John to Victoria in 2021 to be closer to family. Her career in nursing was impressive and varied, including obtaining her master’s degree at McMaster University as a mature student in 1987. She was one of the pioneers of the Bachelor of Nursing program in Saint John and went on to receive numerous teaching awards and accolades. She was respected by many in her field – serving on committees, being a mentor to others, and sharing her passion and enthusiasm for teaching.

We would most like for her to be remembered for who she was as a person – so much more than her accomplishments. Judy loved her family completely and unconditionally. She adored her friendships and nurtured them with warmth, humour, and genuine care. She carried that joy with her everywhere she went. She had a childlike innocence about the world that made her endearing to all who knew her. She was clever, creative, and always up for an adventure.

David always spoke of Judy’s adaptability and the time since his passing was certainly evidence of that. She lived on her own for almost a year before moving into Berwick Royal Oak Retirement Community in March 2023, where she developed a new community of friends and support, while also maintaining and fostering many from her life before.

Judy was a student of life – full of curiosity and wonder. She is not someone who will ever be replicated or replaced. Her legacy lives on in the joy she brought to others, the love she gave so freely, and the laughter she inspired. We will miss her so deeply and trust that she is surrounded by peace and eternal love.

As a parting message from one of her Instagram posts (sjjudy69): “I hope to go on appreciating the moments and times and significance of each of my todays. That way I won’t get caught up in assuming that I will always have good tomorrows.”

No formal service by request.

Photo video tribute:  Mom’s Tribute by Lauren

If you wish to honour Judy in any way, please consider reading the poem below.

“In Lieu of Flowers” by Shawna Lemay from the book The Flowers Can Always Be Changing

Although I love flowers very much, I won’t see them when I’m gone. So in lieu of flowers:  Buy a book of poetry written by someone still alive, sit outside with a cup of tea, a glass of wine, and read it out loud, by yourself or to someone, or silently.
Spend some time with a single flower. A rose maybe. Smell it, touch the petals.
Really look at it.
Drink a nice bottle of wine with someone you love.
Or, Champagne. And think of what John Maynard Keynes said, “My only regret in life is that I did not drink more Champagne.” Or what Dom Perignon said when he first tasted the stuff: “Come quickly! I am tasting stars!”
Take out a paint set and lay down some colours.
Watch birds. Common sparrows are fine. Pigeons, too. Geese are nice. Robins.
In lieu of flowers, walk in the trees and watch the light fall into it. Eat an apple, a really nice big one. I hope it’s crisp.
Have a long soak in the bathtub with candles, maybe some rose petals.
Sit on the front stoop and watch the clouds. Have a dish of strawberry ice cream in my name.
If it’s winter, have a cup of hot chocolate outside for me. If it’s summer, a big glass of ice water.
If it’s autumn, collect some leaves and press them in a book you love. I’d like that.
Sit and look out a window and write down what you see. Write some other things down.
In lieu of flowers,
I would wish for you to flower.
I would wish for you to blossom, to open, to be beautiful.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com