Shirley Nell Brooks Judy

Shirley Nell Brooks Judy passed away peacefully on June 28, 2023 at her home in Urbana after a brief illness. She was 92 years old.

Shirley was born in Passaic, New Jersey on December 6, 1930, the youngest of 4 children, and grew up in Nutley, New Jersey. She was a graduate of DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana and also studied at Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana. She was married to the late John (Jack) Judy, Jr. of Indianapolis and they raised three children: Chuck, Martha and Doug. They made Urbana their home from 1971 to 1976, and she returned for good in 1983.

Shirley enjoyed traveling throughout her life and fondly recollected her summer trips as a child to Brownstown, Illinois; camping trips across the country with her young family; and international adventures later in life. She was actively involved with Grace United Methodist Church (now Quest Church) and served on the board at Cunningham Children’s home.

Her passions, however, were her cats, each of whom had a special place in her life, and Bridge.

A couple of her cats seem to have adopted her by just showing up at her doorstep and sticking around for the caring attention while others were adopted by her through the Humane Society. All were dear companions for the years they shared.

Taught by her brother, Marvin, Shirley played organized and social bridge throughout her life, until the pandemic, achieving the rank of Life Master. It brought her much joy.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Isabel (Griffith) and Arthur Edward Brooks; her aunt, Mary Leah (Mayme) Griffith; and her sister and brothers, Leah Gasparotti, Owen Brooks and Marvin Brooks.  She is survived by her three children, Charles (Grace) Judy of Holts Summit, Missouri, Martha (Aaron Adler) Judy of Brookfield, Vermont, and Doug (Amy) Judy of Arden, North Carolina; as well as eight grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Quest Church: A Community of Grace, 2004 Philo Rd, Urbana, IL at 10:30 a.m. on July 13, 2023. Pastor Casey Taylor will officiate.  She will be laid to rest in Brownstown, IL at the Griffith Cemetery at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Champaign County Humane Society or Cunningham Children’s Home.

Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com

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