Judith (Schneider) Lancefield, MBHS class of ’58, was an honored teacher, explorer of world cultures, treasured friend and family member.

Judith was born as Judith Ann Dingler on Dec. 17, 1940 in Merrill, OR, and was in the 1^st generation of her family off the farm. Judith’s parents were divorced when she was young and she grew up mostly in San Diego. She studied at San Diego State and other universities, earning a bachelor’s degree in Social Studies, and a teaching credential to teach at both primary and secondary levels. She earned a master’s degree in Adult and Continuing Education from Washington State University (WSU).

Judith traveled to 46 counties in her life and worked in four far off lands. She taught on Truk Island for the US Teacher Corps in the East Carolina Islands for 4 years. She joined the Peace Corps working in Swaziland where she founded a vocational school for women. In 1984, she was chosen by WSU to go to Chengdu, China to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) at Chengdu University of Science and Technology from 1984-1985. She taught professionals not only English but also how to function in the culture of the West. In 1990, Judith went to Nishinomiya, Japan for a year to teach English teachers how to teach English.

In 1987, while teaching in Pullman, WA, Judith switched from teaching ESL to teaching the third grade. Judith was awarded "2001 Washington State Elementary Science Teacher of the Year", and was awarded the "2000-2001 Eastern Washington Regional Teacher of the Year". In 2001 she won a "Christ McAuliffe Award" for excellence in education.

Judith retired from the Pullman School District in 2006 and volunteered to teach ESL courses at Neill Public library. She also established a teaching program at the Whitman County jail. The next year she moved to Portland, OR, where she contributed to the community at her beloved Portland Japanese Garden became an "Expert Gardener" and served as a volunteer gardener and guide.

Judith is pictured at the MBHS Vietnam War Memorial. She generously contributed money to the reconstruction of the memorial and to the MBHS JROTC Scholarship.

Judith Lancefield died of glioblastoma metaforme (brain cancer) on July 21, 2011. She is survived by her daughter Ineka Estabrook, her son, John Schenck and his wife Teresa, and her brother Walter Schneider and his wife Jidtnah, all of whom cared for and comforted her through her last weeks and hours. She is also survived by her father Martin Dingler and step mother Dorathie Dingler, grandchildren Amelia Estabrook, Ashley and Alyssa Schenck and her partner of 24 years, Professor Martin Pall. Judith has donated her body to science and will be cremated.