Judith Ann Tillery

Beloved by her family and friends, who raised 5 children by herself and was a psychiatric nurse of 25 years first in Cincinnati, then worked for USF Student Services, TGH, & HCA Fla. Largo W. Hospital. She never regretted the many sacrifices she made for her children.

Predeceased by brothers, Victor & David Heithaus and sister Phyllis Gardner and daughter Barbara Tillery; survived by sons Thomas, David & wife Caroleen, Donald & Frederick Tillery; 8 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and 11 nieces & nephews.

Services will be held Thursday, March 24th, 2 p.m. at Serenity Gardens Memorial Park, 13401 Indian Rocks Rd. Largo FL, 33774, 727-562-2080

Mom was a true hero.

She raised 5 kids bravely by herself and worked so hard while we were young. She was a psychiatric nurse for 25 years and a true inspiration to living the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

She dedicated her life to taking care of her children, mostly her son Fred and her daughter Barbara now deceased.

She never regretted a single sacrifice she made for her children. There were

So many it would be impossible to count them all.

For example, she got me the counseling I needed when I was young and having a hard time in school and then enrolled me in a summer course for gifted kids.

She took me to a music special at USF with slide shows of beautiful art and nature. I will never forget how it shaped my appreciation for both.

I remember when I moved to Marco Island for a new job. I had no money and lived in employee housing. I had no TV or radio. She drove 175 miles both ways to deliver me a used TV for me. TVs were heavy back then too.

She gave me and my siblings as much as she could when she could, but it’s what she taught me about life, was far more valuable. She showed by example to be kind and compassionate to others. As hard as life was for my sister had, my mom never ever gave up on her, which is a testament for her courage and dedication to her family.

She had a close relationship with her sister Phyllis who was also a mental health care professional. I used to listen to their conversations about their patients. I saw it as a way for them to decompress from the rigors of a hard profession. She was also very close to her niece Patricia, to whom I am extremely grateful to Tricia to be there for her. You improved her days with laughter and common-sense solutions.

Mom was a caregiver for her son Fred for 30 years. Caregivers go through more than they will ever tell you. They give up a lot and rarely have a social life. They can get sick and emotionally worn out.

I was privileged to care for her in her final years. She lived a difficult 87 years, but she passed without any suffering thanks to the incredible years of work at Palm Garden and the Suncoast Hospice that managed her final days.

What she did was extraordinary for one person, and you will never know until you have walked the road of a caregiver like my mom. I love you and I miss you so much.