Judith Akin Smith

Judith Akin Smith, age 53, passed away at her home in Edgewood, New Mexico, on March 13, 2026. A celebration of her life will be held at Lantern Ridge Farm Market on April 21, 2026, at 11:30 a.m.

Judy had an enormous heart and an extraordinary capacity for love. The greatest love of her life was her husband, Bryan, whom she met at Sunset Ranch in Los Angeles. From that moment on, they were inseparable—true soulmates in every sense. They were together 25 years and married for 22 years. Judy’s final words to Bryan were, “I love you.”

Animals were central to Judy’s life. She loved and cared for rescued dogs and cats, creating a joyful and welcoming refuge for them all. She especially adored her horse, Tank. Judy began riding Tank as a teenager at Sunset Ranch, and their bond was so strong that Tank became hers, living out his years peacefully at her ranch in New Mexico. Judy was the best animal-mom for horses Tank, Rocket, and Hildago, goats Latte and Safron, indoor cats Pinot, Shadow, barn cat Cali, and dogs Nezzie, Bella, Fang, Heinz, Penny, Goldie.

Raised in Los Angeles, Judy graduated from Fairfax High School and later earned her degree in Architecture from Tulane University. After Tulane, she returned to Los Angeles to work in architecture before moving with Bryan to New Mexico. Most recently, Judy worked as a senior pre-fab designer for Improve Group. She poured genuine care and intention into every project, leaving a lasting mark not only on the spaces she helped create, but on the people she worked alongside. She had a special talent for diving into new products and tools, mastering them with determination and curiosity, then turning around and lifting up her team with that knowledge. Her presence is still felt in the work she shaped and in the team she supported, and her memory will continue to live on through both.

Judy had a deep passion for genealogy and served as the devoted keeper of Akin family history. She spent countless hours researching ancestral records and historical documents, carefully uncovering family stories that spanned generations.

Her college years in New Orleans held a special place in her heart, especially her junior year abroad in Venice, which she considered a defining experience. Judy and Bryan later returned to Italy several times, and also traveled together to Argentina and Scotland. While travel enriched her life, her New Mexico ranch was her true sanctuary—a place of beauty, peace, sweeping hillside views, and room for animals to roam freely.

Judy was a devoted wife and daughter; a loving sister and aunt; and a cherished friend. She is survived by her husband, Bryan Akin Smith; her mother, Janice Akin; her sister, Nancy (Akin) Burt, brother-in-law Matthew Burt, and nephews Daniel and Thomas Burt. She was preceded in death by her father, Seth K. Akin, and her beloved animals Tank, Rocket, Hildago, Latte, Shadow, Pinot, Nezzie, Bella, Fang, and Heinz.

Judy is deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

The family requests contributions be made in Judy’s memory to either Albuquerque Chihuahua Rescue (https://abqchihuahuarescue.org) or Lap Dog Rescue in New Mexico East Mountain (https://lapdogrescue.org)