Judy was predeceased by her brother, Ted, and her parents, Edward (Ted) and Vera.
Judy is survived by beloved husband, Mitch; brother, Richard Harvey and wife Anna, of Lakeland; daughter, Jan Heffelfinger and husband Curt, of Maitland; son, Rick Madsen and wife Wendy, of Winter Park; son, Jose Torrez and wife, Cindy, of Maitland; son, Raul Carrillo of Apopka; daughter, Barby Molnar and husband John, of Orlando; stepdaughter, Nicole Conlan, of Manteo, NC; stepson, Mitch Johnson and wife Ashton of Winterville, NC; stepson, Chris Johnson, of Kissimmee; and 19 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and innumerable friends.
Born in Dayton, Ohio, on November 16, 1935, Judy moved with her family to Seaman, Ohio, and then to Somerset, Kentucky, where, at the age of 15, she dedicated her heart to Jesus Christ at church camp. Later, the family moved to Orlando, Florida, where Judy graduated from Edgewater High School, and played clarinet in the marching band. Judy also played the piano and loved singing in choir. Judy met and married Bill Madsen, and together they had three children, Jan, Rick, and Barby. Several years after their divorce, Judy adopted two sons, Jose and Raul, making the family complete. In 1965, as a single mother, Judy went to work for Home Interiors and Gifts, Inc. (HI), incorporating her passion for decorating and love of people with her gifts of hospitality and management. She was eventually promoted to Unit Manager, Branch Manager, and Area Manager before retiring at age 50, in 1986. Christian founder of HI, Mary Crowley, was Judy’s mentor and friend, and she quoted Mary often. Judy fell in love and later married Franklin Mitchell (Mitch) Johnson--an accomplished pilot and war veteran--on September 30, 1994.
Retirement afforded Judy the opportunity to enjoy some of her favorite things: cooking, gardening, and a new endeavor, painting. But this was short-lived as her conviction to live with purpose caused her to set aside these pursuits and become passionately involved in the pro-life movement, "adopting" several young mothers along the way who had decided to keep their babies. After nearly three decades of involvement, Judy had to step down from her physically and time-demanding pro-life activities for personal reasons. At home she poured herself into writing. Her fourth book, "Confessions of a Cheerful Giver," was published this February, and speaks to how she lived her life -- with a serving heart for her Lord, extended to those hurting, helpless, and in need.
Judy did everything with purpose, passion, love, and kindness. She loved her family deeply and purely. She loved others better than herself. She loved the Lord with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength to the end.
Judy’s Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be at St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Orlando on Saturday, June 9, at 2:00 p.m. Address: 4917 Eli St, Orlando, FL 32804. Reception following. Funeral arrangements by Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, Goldenrod Chapel.
In lieu of flowers donations should be made to: Pro-Life Action Ministries - Central Florida Branch (PLAM), plam.org/central-florida; OR to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), pancan.org.
