Judith A. Mayhew, 78

Judith Anne Mayhew (Witt) was born on April 20, 1945, in Ainsworth, to Walter and Grace Witt (Tays). She was married on August 26, 1962, to Sid Mayhew. She passed away in her home on June 5, 2023, in Valentine, at the age of 78.

Judy was blessed with three children Kim in November 1963, John in September 1973 and Jim in January 1975. Judy was also a friend, a mentor and a mother figure to anyone she met. But her pride was her family, her kids, her grandkids and her great grandkids! She was always so proud of their accomplishments!

Judy worked for five years at Sunset Harbor and more than 30 years at Pineview. She cared for countless residents. Giving each of them the love and laughter in their last chapter of life, and that is what she was known for. She was loved by all of them, their families and the staff.

Judy was the most selfless person you would ever meet with a heart of gold. She gave everything she had to her family and friends. She enjoyed spoiling her grandkids, great grandkids and all the other children who were blessed to know her. She spent countless hours fishing with her grandson Logan and all his fishing buddies. She became “Grandma Judy” to all the kids that fished in the area.

April loved Grandma’s creamy cucumbers and deviled eggs. Grandma was known for her creamy cucumbers, deviled eggs and potato salad. April would ask her to make one of them for her and she would always tell her, “I don’t know. You better try them. I just don’t think I got a good do on them!”. For April she was the glue. She always made things better.

Jeremy’s house was the place the family gathered for Christmas Eve suppers. Jeremy’s favorite memories are spending time with Grandma on those Christmas Eve’s. And Grandma’s creamy cucumbers she was so famous for! For Jeremy, she loved him unconditionally and was there for him no matter what!

Chloe moved home recently to be able to share her new baby with Grandma Judy. When she would take Khyha over to Grandma’s she would light up! That newest great grandbaby made a big difference in her life. For Chloe it was staying the night with Grandma, watching the game channel and eating crackers with her with whatever spread she had. Then falling asleep and waking up to find she’s been covered up with a blanket.

Even though her health would not allow her to climb, and sit, in the bleachers she never missed one of Logan’s football games! No matter how hot, cold, or if she didn’t feel good…she was always there watching from her car! For Logan it was the nights that him and Abby would go over to visit with her and she would tell them endless stories about her life.

There was a long distance between Zach and his Grandma Judy, but they were so close. She and Zach would talk for hours on the phone and laugh like a couple kids. For Zach it was the time he got to spend with Grandma when we came home each summer. His favorite memory is when he picked her up at her house in our motel Kawasaki mule and drove all through town on it. They both pulled up with the biggest smiles on their faces.

She enjoyed playing Yahtzee, doing her crosswords, Sudoku, and just visiting and spending time with all her family and friends.

Judy was a cancer survivor. She received her cancer diagnosis in 2015. And she beat it in 2016. She also suffered a broken arm 2013 and that forced her to retire from the job she loved for so many years. She used her toughness, that got her through life, to overcome these types of challenges before the Lord decided it was time for her to leave this world.

Judy is survived by her daughter, Kim Homan (Darold Homan) and sons, John Mayhew (Tami Mayhew) and Jim Mayhew (Sara Mayhew); grandchildren, April Bacon (Joe Bacon), Jeremy Homan (Crystal Homan), Zach Mayhew, Chloe Mayhew, and Logan Mayhew; great grandchildren, Preston Bacon, Ashlee Bacon, Jayden Bacon, Daniel Homan, and Khyha Mayhew. As well as several, nieces and nephews.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents and her six siblings, Kenny, Walt, Jackie, Dick, Bob, and baby Shirley.

Memorial services will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday June 24, 2023 at the Methodist Church in Valentine with inurnment following at the Ainsworth Cemetery. Pallbearers, Scott Wiechelman, Steve Daugherty, Jack and Dan Mayhew, Dallas and Shawn Fowler. Honorary pallbearers, the late Carl Frauen, Warren Jackson, and all her nieces and nephews. Holmes Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.