Judy Roberts

MADISON - Judy A. Roberts, age 66, passed away on December 22, 2016 at Agrace HospiceCare in Madison, Wisconsin, with her loving daughter and a dear friend at her side. Judy was born on June 29, 1950 in Kansas City, Mo to Frank J. and Joanne (O'Brien) Roberts. As a young child, the family moved to Medford, WI where Judy attended Medford Schools and graduated in 1968. She attended UW - Eau Claire and later returned to Medford where she raised her daughter, Heather (Schnorr) Reese.
Judy was whip smart and hard working. She worked for many years at WeatherShield Mfg, in Medford, starting as a billing clerk and working her way up to the position of Division Manager for the Camp Hill, PA location. She later worked for several years at the former Northwest Trucks, headquartered in Abbotsford, overseeing operations for all of their locations before moving to Madison in 1999.
In Madison, Judy became involved with the local Ice Age Trail Alliance, where she began to build a circle of lasting friendships in the area. That circle continued to grow when she later moved to Rosewood Villas Senior Community. Judy had a wide interest in active pursuits that can be best described as enjoying the simple pleasures of life in the company of good friends. She loved spending time outdoors in search of wildflowers and birds; gathering friends for an impromptu picnic in the garden gazebo, a game of dominoes or cards; organizing a craft room at Rosewood for quilting and card making; attending local music festivals, concerts and theater; leading the social activities and renewal of the community garden at Rosewood and operating the community store. She was an avid reader, public television viewer, lifelong learner and civic minded, attending seminars on senior advocacy and working at the polls each year.
Judy will be best remembered as a devoted and loving mother with a zest for life, a special blend of positivity and pragmatism, sparkly blue eyes and laughter, willingness to lend a helping hand or support a worthy cause, and instigator of good times. She was taken from us too suddenly and too soon and will remain forever in our hearts and memories.
She is survived by her daughter, Heather (Eric) Reese and step granddaughters, Megan and Emily all of Stoughton; mother, Joanne Roberts of Georgetown, TX; stepmother, Alice Roberts of Medford; brother, Mike (Sue) Roberts of Georgetown, TX; sister, Linda Kenny of Chisago City, MN; nieces and nephews, Cara (Bill) Nauber, Josh (Sasha) Roberts, Jennifer Kenny Hendry, Joe Kenny, and Tim (Melissa) Roberts; and many beloved extended family members: aunts, uncles, stepsisters, cousins, grand nephews, nieces and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Frank J. Roberts of Medford.
We are grateful for the care, compassion and guidance of the staff at Agrace HospiceCare. Their kindness and support were a blessing during challenging days.
A Celebration of Life will be held on April 15, 2017 at 2pm at Olbrich Gardens in Madison. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Judy's memory to Friends of Wisconsin Public Television or the Agrace Foundation.