Judith Diane (Judy) Newbert

December 15, 1948 – June 9, 2015

Judith Diane (Judy) Newbert passed away suddenly at her home on June 9, 2015 in Crossfield, Alberta at the age of 66. Judy is survived, and deeply missed, by her brothers Ken (Marlie) and Alan (Lucy), her niece Elyse (Colin), nephews Joel and Eric, and her best friend Gina. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lilian and Kurt.

Born on December 15, 1948 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Judy spent her 66 years as a true trailblazer. The first woman to graduate from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (1971), she also earned an honours degree in Physics (1970), setting the stage for a life of accomplishment and adventure.

Judy started her career as an aeronautical engineer with Field Aviation Ltd. before becoming an Assistant District Aeronautical Engineer for the Department of Transport. During this time, she met and married Ray Muxworthy. In 1974, Judy switched career paths to work as a petroleum engineer. She worked in various capacities for Home Oil Ltd., Gulf Canada Resources, Westmin Resources, Petro-Canada/Suncor and Pengrowth, traveling around the world for her work. Judy also founded her own engineering consulting company, Newbert Petroleum Engineering Ltd., in 1989.  

Judy actively encouraged other women to get involved in the oil and energy industry, speaking to schools and at conferences about her own experiences. Judy also applied her knowledge of the energy industry to politics by getting involved in the early years of the Reform Party, helping them to develop their Energy Platform. She was a member of the council for the Association of Engineers and Geoscientists for several terms, serving as a long-time member of the discipline committee, and was continuously involved in association affairs throughout her career.

While an accomplished engineer and active member of Alberta’s energy sector, Judy’s true passion was horses. Receiving her first horse from her parents at the age of 12, throughout her life she demonstrated a keen interest and a deep knowledge of horses, riding, and competition. Moving to Crossfield in 1979, Judy rode, showed, and trained English, Western, sidesaddle, and driving horses, and began teaching in 1971 and driving in 1990.  Recently, Judy became increasingly interested in competitive driving and pleasure show ring driving, and was working towards becoming a recognized judge in driving. Judy was a harness designer and maker, working in both leather and biothane. She also repaired harness and designed driving aprons and turnouts for her other company, Newbert Equine Enterprises. An Albany sleigh that Judy restored won a restoration competition.

Judy’s greatest legacy is perhaps her teaching and involvement in the 4-H and Pony Club. An active member of her local and national Pony Club, Judy served as both a coach, examiner, and consultant, helping thousands of students over the years to achieve their riding dreams and goals. She coached an amateur student to the top four in Quarter Horse Nationals and coached numerous equestrian teams at the Alberta Summer Games. She was an AEF-recognized coach and member for many years of the American Driving Society and the Carriage Association of America. 

Judy was loved by all who were lucky enough to know her. Her incredible stories, her passion, her forthright attitude, and most of all her friendship and loyalty will be missed. She will be deeply missed by her family. In the equestrian world, her absence will be impossible to fill.

A celebration of life is scheduled for Sunday, July 12th at 2:00pm at the Crossfield Community Centre, located at 900 Mountain Avenue in Crossfield, AB. All are welcome to attend, share stories and celebrate Judy’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Judy’s name to the Canadian Pony Club at PO Box 127, Baldur, MB, R0K 0BO. The family would like to thank all those who took care of Judy during the last months of her life, and would particularly like to recognize Judy’s close friends, Dana and Kathy.