Beloved mother, grandmother and wife Judith Ann “Judy” Graves passed away peacefully at home August 15, 2017 in Ventura, CA. Judy was born in Peoria, Illinois on October 10, 1941 to her parents Hilda Spong Nelson and Albert Olin Nelson.
Judy and her family were members of the Swedish community in Peoria, until they moved to Decatur, Illinois. Cooking Swedish pancakes was a passion of Judy’s that she passed on to her children and grandchildren. Judy also enjoyed the Decatur H.S. Choir, watching the new steps on American Bandstand, and dancing with friends at the Methodist Youth Group on Fun Nights. She first met her future husband, Jim, in MYF.
Judy and Jim graduated from Illinois Western University with B.A. degrees in education. They became sweethearts by the end of their freshman year, and married on the day after they graduated. They drove their Volkswagen Beetle to California to take jobs in East Los Angles teaching English and History. Judy and Jim were married for fifty-four years.
In 1965, Judy and Jim moved to Ventura County to teach for Oxnard Union High School District. Judy taught at Oxnard and Rio Mesa high schools. Additionally, Judy found the time to receive her M.A. at California Lutheran University. Her students, including her children and grandchildren, thanked her for improving their English skills and teaching them to appreciate fine literature, especially Shakespeare.
During her career, Judy took time off to care for her children, Joel and Jennifer, as well as to move to England for a year for Jim’s Fulbright Grant assignment. Judy and Jim also traveled the world. Judy was an active member of the Ventura Yacht Club, attended Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, and donated her time to various Ventura charities. Judy enjoyed entertaining her extensive family and circle of friends, She attended her grandchildren’s concerts, dance recitals, art shows and sporting events. Judy’s infectious laugh and great sense of humor will be missed by all.
Survivors include her husband Jim, son Joel, daughter Jennifer and grandchildren Kai, Max, Ava of Ventura, sister Nancy Fehr of German Town, Illinois and brother Randy Nelson of Pekin, Illinois, in addition to nieces Lynn, Leslie, Lee Anne, nephews Scott and Jeffrey, and sister-in-law Laury Graves.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease research of your choice.
On Saturday, September 9, a service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 3290 Loma Vista Rd. at 11:00 a.m. followed by a celebration of Judy’s life from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Ventura Yacht Club at 1755 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura.
Private arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.