DIED SEPT. 29, 2020.
Julia “Judy” (“Mimi”) Gatewood Britt, 79, of Oakland, Florida, passed away peacefully Sept. 29, 2020. Judy was born Aug. 20, 1941, in Orlando, Florida, to the late Virginia Lawrence Gatewood and the late Ainsworth Dudley Gatewood.
She was the youngest of three daughters who grew up in the Delaney Park area of Orlando. She graduated from Boone High School, where she was a cheerleader and on the homecoming court.
In 1965, she married Air Force Lt. Ward Pinkston Britt of Winter Garden, Florida, and together they enjoyed their early life in the Air Force raising their three daughters. After moving to Abilene, Texas, Fort Walton Beach, Florida and Miami, Florida, they were able to move their family back home to West Orange County, where they once again were surrounded by family and friends.
Judy enjoyed playing team tennis at West Orange Country Club. She was also a member of the West Orange Junior Service League and a founding member of Bloom & Grown Garden Society.
When Judy and Ward became empty nesters in 1985, they left their home to become “Berliners” in a five-year transfer with Pan Am to West Germany. While there, they traveled to many parts of the world, including Africa, Egypt, Austria, Pakistan, France and Italy, creating some amazing stories and memories to share with family and friends. They were even fortunate enough to witness the destruction of the Berlin Wall and to chisel out their very own piece.
After the birth of their grandchildren, Ward and Judy moved back to West Orange County where family, friends, golf and traveling filled their lives.
“Mimi” will most be remembered for her passion for creating memories with her family; spending time with her beloved sister and best friend Gretchen; and hosting family gatherings at home as well at their vacation homes in New Smyrna Beach and Robbinsville, North Carolina. “Mimi” was truly a one-of-a-kind woman, mother, sister, wife, grandmother and friend. She will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Ward P. Britt; her daughters, Muffet Britt Young (David Young), Heidi Britt, Geegee Britt Burmeister (Craig Burmeister); her four grandchildren, Erin Bailey Hoover, Zachary Bailey, Delaney Young and Addison Young; and her great-granddaughter, Arden Bailey Hoover. She is also survived by her sister, Gretchen Shuman.
A celebration of her life will be a private family service held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, at the First United Methodist Church of Winter Garden. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Bloom & Grow Garden Society or the Winter Garden Heritage Foundation.
