"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart." Helen Keller
Judy lived a life of heartfelt moments. She understood the value of a listening heart; being humble and open, hearing beyond words, responding with empathy and compassion, and acting in love. Judy cherished family, friendships, and living her life in community with others. Born in St. Louis, MO, Judy was the eldest of 4 siblings whom she would lovingly recite their names in birth order, "Judy, John, Janice, and Jerry". Judy was creative, sharing her passion for crafting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and needle point with her sister, Janice. Together they would display and sell their homemade wonders at craft shows and gatherings. She was a talented painter, honored when people offered to buy her paintings. Judy met her husband of 54 years, Donald Lee Parsons, Sr., on a blind double date (finding love with each other, not the person with whom they were set up).
Judy accepted her first professional job as a bank teller just prior to her graduation in her senior year, asking for a day off to attend her high school graduation. Don and Judy had three children, Traci, Donnie, and Michael. While in St. Louis, life was centered around extended family, weekly Sunday BBQs, poker games for pennies, camping trips, horseback riding, snow skiing, river rafting, and boating. Job relocation brought Judy and Don to Lancaster, PA in 1979 where they made new friends and created a life for themselves raising their children. She loved volunteering in her children's classrooms and supporting their extracurricular activities. Judy worked various roles in retail, quality control, working with the blind, and most rewarding to her, as a paraeducator. Her love for children, along with her creativity, kindness, and enviable patience endeared her to her students, their families, and her peers. When Judy and Don's grandchildren, Chad, Hannah, and Addisan arrived, Judy was all in! She prioritized her time to be present and involved in their lives, reveling her role as "Nani" while never wavering her support and understanding for their parents. She was protector, mentor, friend, confidant and sometimes co-conspirator. Judy made the most of simple pleasures, seizing opportunities to share life's wonders and create meaningful experiences planning adventures, day trips, vacations, and annual "girl's week" with the grandkids. One could say Judy was Maria Montessori incarnate. Judy and Don returned to boating life on the Chesapeake Bay, sharing the joys on the water with friends and family. Judy served in multiple officer roles, including Commodore for 2 yacht clubs. She loved to make special crafts/cards for her friends and family and created a scrapbook for EVERY occasion. She would often give a toast at gatherings acknowledging the blessing of the moment. Judy's warm, unassuming nature made making friends easy. Later in life, after Don's death, Judy enjoyed socializing with family and friends, playing cards and games, crafting, and going on outings. Even as Judy's eyesight failed and she became more debilitated, Judy stayed engaged in the world, the people she loved, and she felt with her heart.
Judy's family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the many friends, neighbors, and family members who supported Judy's endeavor to live life fully while living with Dementia. Special appreciation to Barb Nolan, whose friendship and compassion was a light in Judy's life.
Judy is survived by her daughter Traci Parsons Longenecker, wife to Mike Gardner; son Donald L Parsons, Jr, husband to Jean Deiter Parsons; son Michael Parsons; granddaughters Hannah Royer and Addisan Parsons; 3 great grandchildren; sister Janice Standeford Mincher, wife to Jerry Mincher; brother Jerry Standeford, husband to Sandy Standeford; and Judy's nieces and nephews.
Pre-deceased are Judy's parents John and Norma Standeford; husband Donald Lee Parsons, Sr; brother John A. Standeford; and grandson Chad David Longenecker.
Family and friends will be received from 9:30-11:30am on Saturday, May 3rd at Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Judy's honor may be made to Vision Corp, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, or Alzheimer's Association. To send an online condolence, please visit:
