Judy A. Avery

Judy Avery passed away peacefully on Monday night, August 4, at age 79, surrounded by love and laughter as her children and grandchildren sat by her bedside reminiscing and playing games. Judy loved hearing about the many board games and escape rooms her family enjoyed. She often joined in herself, engaging in spirited rounds of Spot It, Watch Ya Mouth (there’s a hysterical video out there if you know where to look…) and Pretty Pretty Princess. A lifelong thrifter and yard-saler, Judy was always on the lookout for unique treasures—especially games and toys for her grandchildren. This became legendary in the family. She built a small community of friends at her local thrift store, where she loved to browse, chat, and share stories. Judy never met a stranger; anyone lucky enough to encounter her kindness, smile, or laughter left the better for it. Whenever visitors arrived, she would warmly ask, “What do you want to eat?” and never let anyone leave without leftovers. She especially loved spending time with her son making lunches—a simple ritual that brought her great joy. Judy was love and light. She cared deeply for her family, often repurposing thrift store finds into handmade gifts. Skilled with a sewing machine, she created baby bibs, Christmas cards, children’s capes, placemats, and cloth napkins from old sheets and fabric. For an entire year, she supplied her daughter’s classroom with “surprise boxes” full of crafting scraps for the children. She included cheerful notes, received thank-you cards in return, and even had the chance to speak to the class one day—spreading joy across hundreds of miles. As a child, Judy played badminton and basketball. She once aspired to become a P.E. teacher, but cultural expectations kept her from that path. Still, her love for activity never faded. Despite having bad knees, she stayed active—sharing videos on Facebook of herself dancing to Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift, and making silly, joyful videos with her grandchildren. Known affectionately as the “Dancing Queen,” her favorite song to dance to was All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor. Judy was remarkably handy and loved the outdoors. Together with her late husband, Don, she started a lawn care and landscaping business. No project was beyond her “can-do” spirit—she could fix just about anything, often in clever and creative ways. At one workplace, she even earned the nickname MacGyver. Whether mowing the lawn, tending gardens, feeding the birds, or cooking dishes that became family legends, Judy poured her energy and heart into everything she did. She approached life with zest and determination, never giving up. Her quick wit and humor delighted those around her. She often surprised new acquaintances by casually dropping an F-bomb—much to her children’s amusement. Judy was an irreplaceable part of her family and, in her final wishes, asked for her ashes to be made into a game piece so she could forever be part of family game night. She is dearly missed, and survived by an infinite number of broken hearts.

Judy A. Avery

October 8, 1945 - August 4, 2025