Judith Ann MacArthur

Judith Ann MacArthur, 85, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, June 29, 2026, following a period of chronic respiratory illness.

Judith was born Judith Ann Olsen on October 8, 1940, in Stoneham, Massachusetts, to the late Ann M. Conners and Francis D. Olsen.

As a teenager, Judy served as California State Chair of the March of Dimes Teens Against Polio Committee. She graduated from Santa Clara High School in 1958, where she was awarded the Santa Clara Junior Women’s Club Nursing Scholarship.

After raising her family, Judy returned to college, earning an associate in arts degree from West Valley College in Saratoga, California. She later transferred to San Jose State University, where she distinguished herself academically and was recognized as a President’s Scholar in 1993.

In addition to raising her family, Judy worked for many years as a technical writer. In retirement, she and her husband, Earle T. MacArthur, made their home in the SaddleBrooke community in Tucson, Arizona.

Judy was deeply patriotic, brave, and strong-willed, but also remarkably accepting and kind. She was nonjudgmental by nature and treated people from all walks of life with warmth and respect. She treasured her family and was a loving mother and grandmother. She especially loved receiving pictures of the newest babies in the family and took great joy in seeing each new generation grow.

She was also comfortably independent. Judy loved the quiet of being by herself with a good book, but she equally enjoyed the familiar routines and friendships that were part of her life. She looked forward to her hair and nail appointments and especially enjoyed spending time talking with the regulars at her favorite coffee place.

Judy enjoyed golf, loved dogs, game night with friends at SaddleBrooke, (she was extremely fond of Scrabble and Mah Jong). Until it ended in a broken ankle, she even had a brief period of joining the boys’ dirt bike riding outings.

While she would readily say that holidays themselves were not particularly important to her, the people in her life most certainly were. Above all, she shared a loving life with Earle and remained devoted to her family and friends throughout her life.

She is survived by her children, Michael Parara, David Parara, and David “Dee” MacArthur; her grandchildren, Kasey, Corey, Jennifer, Shannon, Ryan, Kaylie, and Brandon; her sisters, Joyce and Janet; and many other family members and friends who will remember her with love.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earle T. MacArthur; her children, Mary and Greg MacArthur; and her brother, Danny Olsen.

Judy was a member of St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church in Tucson.

A committal ceremony will be held on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Columbarium at St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church, where Judith’s ashes will be placed to rest alongside Earle.