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Light a Candle
Judith Ann Van Schaak Mayes came into the world on May 7, 1945, in Ohio. Judy was the only child born to Margarita Luisa Morphy and Harold Van Schaak. She spent her childhood in the Cleveland suburbs of Lakewood and North Olmsted, surrounded by pets of every species from alligator to donkey, and fostering lifelong friendships with children and families on Fitch Road. By all accounts, Judy was a bubbly and outgoing cheerleader, embracing life as a teen in the ‘50s and early ‘60s. Judy attended Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University. She became the exceedingly proud mother to three beautiful healthy children: Gregory Todd (1968), Heather Judith (1971), and Halle-Joy (1975). Judy devoted her time and energy to raising her family – moving from Philadelphia, to Southern California, to Northern New Jersey and back again to Philadelphia. Judy called the Berwyn/Paoli area home for more than 30 years. Judy wore her title “Grandma” with pride, and leaves a legacy of seven beautiful grandchildren, including: Conner James Mayes (1998); Tyler Eric Mayes (2002); Luke Kenneth Majchrzak (2005); Josephine Wan Gleason (2006); Piper Ingram Mayes (2007); Tessa Marie Majchrzak (2008); and Ian Mayes Gleason (2008). Judy’s love of pets, crafts, and sandcastles at the beach will live on in each of these beautiful children. On May 18, 2015, Judy passed away peacefully at Holy Cross Hospice, in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her final weeks were spent with her children by her side, marking her 70th birthday and Mother’s Day. They held her hand and her heart as she moved on from this world to find peace of body and mind. She will be missed.
