Judith Kay Smith, 71, died at her home, 625 Loon Ct., Plymouth, at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, 2012 of complications brought on by Huntington’s Disease. A sister Doris Swank was also diagnosed with the disease, passed away on March 16th of this year.
Born in Rochester, Ind., on March 11, 1941, she was the daughter of Wilson Mearle and Margaret Pauline (Nicoll) Wakeland.
Judith graduated from Plymouth High School with the Class of 1960. She earned her teaching degree from Ball State University and a Master’s in Education from IUSB.
A Special Education teacher she taught in the Marshall/Starke Development Center, Walkerton and the Plymouth School system.
She enjoyed playing cards and beverages with friends along with watching sports on television.
She was a member of the Delta Theta Tau sorority.
Judith is survived by two sons; Andrew J. Smith and Scott A. Smith, and a grandson, Dominic Smith all of Plymouth.
Her brothers; Jay (Pam) Wakeland, Plymouth and Bob (Karen) Wakeland, Columbia City, Ind., also survive. A sister-in-law; Peggy Wakeland of Bowerbank, ME also survives along with numerous nieces and nephews
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Gary Wakeland, sisters; Muriel Wakeland and Doris Swank.
Friends are invited to visit with Judith’s family on Monday, April 9, 2012, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 North Michigan St., Plymouth.
Funeral services for Judith will be held at 7 p.m. in the funeral home with Rev. Paul Nye officiating.
Burial will be in the New Oakhill Cemetery.
Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, 505 Eighth Ave. Suite 902, New York, NY 10018 or Marshall-Starke Development Corporation, 1901 PIDCO Drive, Plymouth, IN 46563.
Bob Wakeland says
Jud was my little sister and greatly loved. Gary & I probably teased her more than we should have – but she could take it. Karen and I will miss her thoughtfulness, kindness and her dry sense of humor.
We\’ll miss you Judy
Bob and Karen
Sue Chase says
My heart goes out to Judy\’s family each and every one. Judy and I were roomates at Ball State and we had so much fun. I will always remember her laugh and great smile and kindness. I will miss that.Keep her in your hearts forever and remember what she went through.
Ruby Craft Koby says
So sorry to hear of Judy\’s passing. I went to school with Judy at PHS. Judy was a very nice person and I am sure her loss with leave a hole in your hearts. Thoughts are with you.
Carolyn (Long) Franco & Marilyn (Long) Hix says
So sorry for your loss. She was always so kind and friendly and will be definitely missed by many. Our prayers and condolences go out to all of you, her family.
Susie Reinholt says
Good memories of Judy go back a long, long time. In high school she was so very kind to everyone and had a warm smile for all. Please know that you all are in my heart and prayers.
Rosie Snyder says
I am sorry for your loss. I worked with Judy years ago at Webster school. I will keep you in my prayers. Rosie Snyder
Barbara (Bidwell) and Dick Alcock says
Dick and I want to express our sympathy to Judy\’s sons and extended family.
We know it\’s always hard to lose a loved one…even when the quality of a person\’s life
has not been good for awhile. It\’s still \”tough\”!
Growing up in Plymouth…Class of 1960…we feel ever more fortunate to have
lived in this small town and to have known so many of our classmates fairly well.
Judy is a part of our memories and we our saddened to know she is no longer with us.
Michelle Schiefelbein Pinkston says
Dear Boomer and Smitty,
I want you both to know how much I loved your mother. She and I shared alot of laughter and tears back in the day. She had a heart of gold and I don\’t know how I would have made it through some of my roughest moments without her. You are two very fortunate men to have had the honor of calling her Mom.
Thinking of you,
Michelle
Sue Siddall McKinney says
Boomer and Scott,
I\’m so sorry to hear of your mom\’s passing. I\’ll always remember the \”good times\” at Wright\’s Landing – I thought you guys had a great mom! Thoughts and Prayers to you both and to your families.
Marc Eads says
Boomer and Smitty,
It really hit me on the way to the viewing and service just how much your Mom did for us as kids. I think of the trips to the Dunes, Cedar Point, and countless other outings when she put up with us and kept good humor. She was always so nice and played a big part of my childhood growing up. The stories Josh told had me choked up, but yet brought back some great memories of just how nice she was. Josh owes you guys some oreos.
Your Friend,
Marc Eads
Rick Derf says
Judy was a lovely person and will be missed by many. My condolences to the family and I pray for peace and comfort for all of you. I will always remember for her kindness and know she will be a shining light in Heaven.
Karen Kaufman says
I have very fond memories of Judy…especially with our church youth group. She was one of a small group who came early on Sunday morning for breakfast at the church…to pray and ask God for guidance in our lives. I will never forget her laugh, her bright smile and beautiful eyes. She loved to tease me every chance she could. I will miss her.
Karen Cripe Kaufman
Janet (Troyer) Posey says
So many memories with Judy… Funny, how I was just thinking about her and wondering how she was doing. She faced many hard times in her life but , she was an inspiration to many in the way she faced them. I was one of the Breatheren kids in Plymouth and we did have some fun times growing up. I remember Judy\’s laugh too! It was infectious ! My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. She is free at last.
Bob Wakeland says
Jud was my little sister and greatly loved. Gary & I probably teased her more than we should have – but she could take it. Karen and I will miss her thoughtfulness, kindness and her dry sense of humor.
We\’ll miss you Judy
Bob and Karen
Sue Chase says
My heart goes out to Judy\’s family each and every one. Judy and I were roomates at Ball State and we had so much fun. I will always remember her laugh and great smile and kindness. I will miss that.Keep her in your hearts forever and remember what she went through.
Ruby Craft Koby says
So sorry to hear of Judy\’s passing. I went to school with Judy at PHS. Judy was a very nice person and I am sure her loss with leave a hole in your hearts. Thoughts are with you.
Carolyn (Long) Franco & Marilyn (Long) Hix says
So sorry for your loss. She was always so kind and friendly and will be definitely missed by many. Our prayers and condolences go out to all of you, her family.
Susie Reinholt says
Good memories of Judy go back a long, long time. In high school she was so very kind to everyone and had a warm smile for all. Please know that you all are in my heart and prayers.
Rosie Snyder says
I am sorry for your loss. I worked with Judy years ago at Webster school. I will keep you in my prayers. Rosie Snyder
Barbara (Bidwell) and Dick Alcock says
Dick and I want to express our sympathy to Judy\’s sons and extended family.
We know it\’s always hard to lose a loved one…even when the quality of a person\’s life
has not been good for awhile. It\’s still \”tough\”!
Growing up in Plymouth…Class of 1960…we feel ever more fortunate to have
lived in this small town and to have known so many of our classmates fairly well.
Judy is a part of our memories and we our saddened to know she is no longer with us.
Michelle Schiefelbein Pinkston says
Dear Boomer and Smitty,
I want you both to know how much I loved your mother. She and I shared alot of laughter and tears back in the day. She had a heart of gold and I don\’t know how I would have made it through some of my roughest moments without her. You are two very fortunate men to have had the honor of calling her Mom.
Thinking of you,
Michelle
Sue Siddall McKinney says
Boomer and Scott,
I\’m so sorry to hear of your mom\’s passing. I\’ll always remember the \”good times\” at Wright\’s Landing – I thought you guys had a great mom! Thoughts and Prayers to you both and to your families.
Marc Eads says
Boomer and Smitty,
It really hit me on the way to the viewing and service just how much your Mom did for us as kids. I think of the trips to the Dunes, Cedar Point, and countless other outings when she put up with us and kept good humor. She was always so nice and played a big part of my childhood growing up. The stories Josh told had me choked up, but yet brought back some great memories of just how nice she was. Josh owes you guys some oreos.
Your Friend,
Marc Eads
Rick Derf says
Judy was a lovely person and will be missed by many. My condolences to the family and I pray for peace and comfort for all of you. I will always remember for her kindness and know she will be a shining light in Heaven.
Karen Kaufman says
I have very fond memories of Judy…especially with our church youth group. She was one of a small group who came early on Sunday morning for breakfast at the church…to pray and ask God for guidance in our lives. I will never forget her laugh, her bright smile and beautiful eyes. She loved to tease me every chance she could. I will miss her.
Karen Cripe Kaufman
Janet (Troyer) Posey says
So many memories with Judy… Funny, how I was just thinking about her and wondering how she was doing. She faced many hard times in her life but , she was an inspiration to many in the way she faced them. I was one of the Breatheren kids in Plymouth and we did have some fun times growing up. I remember Judy\’s laugh too! It was infectious ! My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. She is free at last.