Judith Alice DeClue Dowd - better known as Judy, beloved Mom and Grandma, left this world on Friday, March 24, 2023. She was born in Jamaica (Queens), New York on July 23, 1945, the oldest daughter of Arthur and Evelyn DeClue.
Growing up in New York, Judy was involved in her Church and enjoyed being a twirler. She was proud to have served as Drum Majorette in High School. She received her degree from Farmingdale State College and went on to be an Administrative Assistant for both Hazeltine Corporation and Georgia Pacific.
Judy met the love of her life, Joseph Dowd, through one of her dear high school friends, his sister Frances. He preceded her in death 13 years ago. Their family includes 3 children, 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren:
Christine Fox, husband Mark Fox, sons Jack and Patrick, daughter Katie and Jack’s fiancée Lauren.
Lauren Hutto, husband Kelly Hutto, sons Alex Bieryla, Ryan Bieryla, Nathan Hutto and Haylan Hutto, daughters Kayla Layman (Paden Layman) and Alyssa Harris (Trey Harris) , grandchildren Bralan, Riley, Adora and Avery.
Joseph Dowd, wife Alisa Calloway Dowd, sons Aaron and Connor.
She also leaves a younger brother, Lawrence DeClue, his wife Anne and family.
While ‘Mom’ was her favorite job and title, Judy worked at the Colleyville Middle School library for a time and went on to be a parish secretary at St Michael Catholic Church in Bedford, TX where she was also quite active in the Diocese Prayer Shawl Ministry. She retired from there to take on her favorite role – Grandma – and she was amazing!!
Judy suffered a massive hemorrhagic stroke in 2009 at the young age of 64 and lost her beloved Joe just a few months later. She was not expected to make it back then but proved everyone wrong and taught us so much about faith and determination along the way. She suffered another stroke in January of 2022 and her quality of life since was tough, yet she remained so strong in spirit.
Judy is in the care of Forest Ridge Funeral Home in North Richland Hills. Her funeral Mass will be held at St Michael Catholic Church in Bedford, TX on Monday April 3rd at 11:00 am
She will be laid to rest beside her husband at Bear Creek Cemetery in Euless, TX.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Stroke Association (stroke.org) or the American Cancer Society (donate.cancer.org).