Judith Ann (Gale) Newsome, known as Judy, passed away on July 24, 2020, at 75 years old. Judy was born at home in Masonville, N.J. on May 6, 1943, to Mae and Earl Gale. The youngest of three, she grew up with her older brothers, Robert (Bob) Gale (who preceded her in death) and Earle Gale.
When she was 16 years old, Judy met John Robert Newsome. The moment he saw her, he knew she was the girl he would marry one day. It took her a little longer, but Judy eventually realized that he was right. They became high school sweethearts and after she graduated from Lenape High School, they married in 1964. Together, they enjoyed 56 wonderful years of marriage full of love and adventure. They had homes in Mt. Holly, Medford and Tabernacle, New, Jersey where they raised their three daughters. In a poem that she wrote for Bob for their 31st anniversary, she said, “Each one of our children is special to us, for each one is different and we love them so much.” We love you too, mom! In 1990, they moved to Judy’s paradise on the water in Clearwater, Florida. Judy’s family expanded to include 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, whom affectionately call her Gee-goo. Her eldest daughter, Kimberly, married Marshall Sanders and had five children: Tyler, Casey, J.R. (who preceded her in death), Alex and Isaac. Her middle daughter, Michelle, married Brian Humbert (also preceded by her in death) had four children: Devin, Katrina, Dakota and Spencer. Her youngest, Paula Timmreck, had three children: Shayna, Dillon and Hunter.
Judy was a hard worker who held a wide variety of jobs over the years, including farm worker, beautician, bus driver, crossing guard and secretary. She also owned and operated three successful businesses over the years: Newsome’s Flowers and Sherwood Remodeling with Bob and Judy’s Permit Service on her own.
Judy loved her family and many close friends and graciously opened her home to them often. Her and Bob threw amazing parties, including birthday parties, epic Fourth of July celebrations, and huge Thanksgiving dinners. Christmas was her favorite holiday, though: no one could decorate a house for the holidays better than she did. She had frequent out-of-town guests and their Florida home became “The Newsome Resort” where it was always “five o’clock somewhere.” Judy had a great love for life and knew how to have fun, be it card games, boat rides, vacations, get-togethers or dancing, which she particularly enjoyed. Seeing her and Bob dance together was beautiful to watch—they moved together gracefully and their love for one another was evident in each step. They truly danced their way through life together.
In the anniversary poem to Bob mentioned above, she wrote, “Years have gone by, our children have grown and gone their separate ways. Our life has changed but our love’s the same. The love we have for each other, we’re not only lovers but we are friends. Friends till our dying day. For our love has grown as each day goes by and I’ll love you forever and ever.”
Judy was a warrior who beat cancer with grace. The battle left her severely immunocompromised and she was hit with infections and viruses that her body could not fight. We know that she is with loved ones that have gone before her and that she will be waiting for us to all be together again one day. The world will never be the same without her but we will continue to live in her honor and celebrate her beautiful life.
Never forget that, “To love is nothing, to be loved is something but to love and be loved is everything.” Hold your loved ones close because tomorrow is never promised.
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