Judith Wright Favor

Judith Wright Favor died peacefully at age 83 on December 8, 2023, in the company of her beloved family, with gladness to continue on her next great journey. Realizing that heart problems would soon be fatal, she had chosen hospice care at home, where her many friends had opportunities to visit her.

Judith began her life as Judith Lee Wright, born in Portland, Oregon in February 1940, into a hardworking family with Celtic roots. As a child she was close to her grandmother, who nurtured her appreciation for quiet communion and the joy of stillness—a spiritual love that continued throughout her life. She credited the Acreage Community Church for introducing her to a “God of Love found in music, nature and relationships.” As a young woman, Judith skied on Mt. Lassen, backpacked in the Sierras, Cascades and Trinity Alps, swam in mountain lakes, and sailed on Lake Tahoe.

After high school, Judith continued her education at Pacific University (Forest Grove, Oregon), where at age 19, she met and married fellow student David Favor, with whom she shared the joy of raising three children. She continued her formal education at California State University-Chico with an MA in Psychology, and at Pacific School of Religion, where she earned a Master’s in Divinity. She studied journaling with Ira Progoff and spiritual direction at Shalem Institute, in Washington, DC.

Judith’s career journey had unusual twists and turns. She earned a private pilot’s license, managed a hot air balloon business, and co-led a dozen trips to Haiti to immerse privileged white Americans in the gritty realities endured by the poorest people in the hemisphere. She co-pastored UCC churches in San Francisco and led Stillpoint courses at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. She worked for a time with an Area Agency on Aging, and often led contemplative writing workshops. She taught at Claremont School of Theology, and spent many weekends behind bars, teaching convicted felons to settle disputes non-violently through the Alternatives to Violence program.

Judith’s spiritual practices included participation with Unitarian Universalists, Buddhist meditation, spiritual guidance with a United Methodist pastor, and a brief time with former Carmelites and then with a Quaker family.

In 2001 Judith became a member of Claremont Friends Meeting. She found in Quaker silent worship a welcome way to open more intimately to God and to become more faithful to God’s guidance. Through her many decades of spiritual exploration and practice, Judith not only deepened her own spiritual life, but also nurtured the spiritual growth of others. In traditional Quaker terminology, Judith was a gifted elder, able to recognize the spiritual gifts of others, and support them in realizing those gifts more fully.

Judith was a skilled and successful writer. She published seven books in three genres; her titles included A Spiritual Guide to Sabbath Economics, the novels The Edgefielders, Silent Voices, and The Beacons of Larkin Street, and Friending Rosie: Respect on Death Row. She wrote most of her books while a member of Claremont’s Joslyn Senior Center’s writers group. Her intellectual and creative contributions resonated with a wide audience, enriching the lives of those seeking spiritual guidance and a strong character.

In 1998 Judith moved into Pilgrim Place in Claremont, where she found love again with Pete Nelson. They married in 2007. She is survived by a large and varied brood, including her son Michael Favor and his wife, Kathy, granddaughter Sarah and husband Eric Gagnebin, grandchildren Andrew Favor and Melody Favor, brother Bob Wright and his wife Robbie; and cousin Lorane Dick and her wife Teri Thompkins.