Judith (Judy) Belanger Malta, 64, of Lompoc, California, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2024, at Marian Hospital with her family at her side.

Born August 6, 1960, in Tacoma, Washington, she was the seventh of eight children of Alfred and Isabella Belanger.  Judy moved to Oxnard at age 7 and graduated from Hueneme High School in 1978.  She attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and graduated with a Master of Arts degree in Education.

Judy met Greg Malta at Cal Poly. They were married in 1984 at the Mission San Luis Obispo.  She settled in Lompoc after the ceremony and remained until her passing.  Judy was devoted to her three children, Brett (33) [Milly], Delaney (28), and Ethan (22).  She also dearly loved her nephews, nieces, great nephews, and great nieces.  She was predeceased by her parents Alfred and Isabella Belanger (Las Vegas, NV) and her brother, James Belanger (Las Vegas, NV).

Judy was a teacher and literacy specialist in the Lompoc Unified School District for 34 years, retiring in 2021. She taught at La Cañada, Los Padres, Crestview, and Buena Vista Elementary Schools. She treasured her friendships with many colleagues.  She would often say, "I have never met a child who didn't want to learn."  She found creative ways to reach all her students and bring out their full potential.

Judy loved spending time laughing and visiting with her friends and family. She was a 40 year member of the Queen of Angels Catholic Church. She loved her vegetable garden, baking, tole painting, going to concerts, and traveling.  A lifelong Los Angeles Dodger fan, she enjoyed their 2024 World Series Championship.  In her retirement years Judy traveled extensively, culminating in a trip to Portugal.  One of her favorite experiences there was touring The Apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima.  A story in which three children witnessed the apparition of Mary and were encouraged to pray the rosary to bring peace to the world.  Judy had her Fatima rosary at her bedside when she passed.

A funeral mass for Judy will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 12:00 noon at the Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 3495 Rucker Road, Lompoc, CA, with a reception to follow at the Dick DeWees Community Center, 1120 W Ocean Avenue, Lompoc, CA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Judy Malta fundraising page for Reading Partners: https://donations.readingpartners.org/mrsmalta

Services being arranged by Dudley Hoffman Mortuary - Santa Maria, CA