Judith Eileen Adams
Judith Eileen Adams was born on November 28, 1946 in Hillsboro, Kansas, the daughter of Edward and Edith Rosella (Jeffers) Unruh. Judy was the youngest of two children, preceded in death by her brother, Edward Lee Unruh and parents. Judy spent her formative years in central Kansas, attending high school in Abilene where she was active in musicals, choir and the marching band. She received a Bachelor of Music Education Degree at the University of Kansas where she met and married, Stephen Thornton Adams, a law student from Leawood, Kansas. She taught music education in the Perry, Lecompton school district while living in Lawrence and Steve finished law school. After a short stint with the US Army in Fort Lee, Virginia, where Steve was stationed, they moved back to the Kansas City area at which time Judy worked as Channel 19 Auction Coordinator for KCPT. After a time in Shawnee the family moved to Overland Park where they now reside. She was a co-partner in a floral design business with a long time friend for 20 years, later working on her own, worked in the community as an active volunteer and was an active PTA participant and Mom.
She served on the board in various capacities and was president of Johnson County Young Matrons, a philanthropic organization dedicated to serve women and children. She helped establish the Johnson County Young Matrons Charitable Gift Fund established for philanthropies served by Young Matrons. She was president and served in several capacities on the Saint Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary board. She was responsible for designing the Auxiliary gift shop at the then new Saint Luke’s South Hospital in 1999 in Overland Park. She served as Co-Chair of the Saint Luke’s’ Hospital Auxiliary Holly Ball, as a volunteer in the Saint Luke’s surgery waiting room and Auxiliary gift shop. She also volunteered for the “No One Dies Alone” Project at the Plaza. Judy was a Johnson County Extension Master Gardner focusing on the Garden Gallery and the hotline. She was a board member of SAFEHOME and hotline advocate.
Judy and her husband Steve were avid travelers to many locations in the US, Europe, Australia, Mexico, South America and the Caribbean. Among their favorite trips in the US were the National Parks. They also spent time visiting homes in Fraser, Colorado and Scottsdale, Arizona, visiting with their grandson, and traveling with friends. Tennis, golf and snow skiing were passions until her pulmonary fibrosis disease made it impossible to continue. She loved her bridge and book clubs, including the “unbook” club. She was originally involved in the Shawnee Presbyterian Church and choir and made many friends. After moving to Overland Park, Judy and Steve became members of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection where she sang in the Chancel, Chamber and Adoration choirs. It was a thrill for her to sing with the choir and orchestra at Carnegie Hall and again at the Kauffman Center for the performing arts. She thanks her small group TEAM for all their support through her journey.
She has been married for 44 years to Steve, has a daughter, Jennifer Adams and grandson, William Joseph Hammers, Littleton, CO along with her son, Jeffry Scott Adams and daughter- in- law Katie, Roeland Park, KS.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Johnson County Young Matrons or Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. Johnson County Young Matrons contributions should be made out to JCYM Charitable Gift Fund with Judy Adams on the memo line, 800 W. 58th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64113. Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation contributions can be made online via http://pulmonaryfibrosis.donorpages.com/Tribute/JudyAdams.
To Steve and family,
My heartfelt condolences to you at Judy’s passing. She will be greatly missed and remembered always by those fortunate enough to have known her.
Sincerely,
Carol Thurman
Steve – My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Life is precious and you were truly blessed to be married to Judy for 44 years. I will remember her fondly, including her wonderful smile. Craig
Mr. Adams,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Gone but not forgotten, she will live on in the hearts of those whose lives she touched.
You and your family are in my prayers.
Steve, I’m so sorry for this tragic loss! I was simply shocked to hear about Judy. I always really admired and liked her so much. She was talented, hardworking, peppy, fun, and just a genuine nice person. Charlie and I grieve for you and your family! With much sympathy and many prayers, Mary Kay Horner
The AHS Class of 1964 has lost another wonderful classmate, and Judy will be greatly missed. May God comfort and bless her family. Sending my sincere sympathy…
Steve,
I am so sorry to hear about Judy. I will keep her, you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. John
Tears streaming down while watching this. I loved Judy, or Mrs. Adams as I would call her when I was little. She was full of life and laughter and such a wonderful friend to our family and so many others.
Thinking so much about Steve, Jeff and Jenny from afar.
Much love,
Courtney (Hackett) Lilly
To Steve and family,
I am saddened to hear this news about Judy. She was a favorite friend of mine in High School and a fellow Jayhawk. It is clear she lived a great life, has an dear family and an incredible number of accomplishments that touched many lives over the years. She will be missed and God Bless her and her family.
Sincerely,
Steve Olsen
Steve, I am sorry for your loss! I was fortunate to have met your wife, Judy on a few occasions, when she attended HB functions. She, needless to say was a terrific person and a wonderful spouse and mother.
I think you know how I feel about you and if there is anything that I can do to assist you, at this most difficult time, please let me know!
I think a lunch of BBQ with a few friends, (when you are ready) is our standing invitation..
God is with her and you and your family!
Steve and family, I was so sorry to hear of Judy’s passing. I know she was a wonderful wife, mom, and friend to many. She will be so missed.
Sue Chipman
Shawnee Presbyterian
I am sorry to hear the news of Judy our prayers to the Steve & family may god bless
Don Born & family
For Judy`s family. I thought of Judy today and am shocked and saddened to now see the news of her passing. She was an inspiration to me as a friend, fellow choir member, genuinely great person—so creative and talented—at Shawnee Presbyterian Church. Glad I had the privilege of knowing her. Love and prayers embrace you all.
Dear Steve, Jenny, Jeff, and family members we never got to meet,
Our hearts just break for you.Although we haven’t gotten to see you, Steve, since we moved to Florida, except for your short trip to see us, you and Judy have always been in our thoughts and memories. Judy is and will be one of the most respected people we have or will ever know in our lifetimes, that’s for sure! We loved it when we were neighbors. So much fun! I’m having so many memories flood my mind, I don’t know what to say. God must of needed a very special angel when he brought Judy home. I know she’s up there watching over her family and friends. She will be missed and always thought of as someone we had the privelage to know and love. Please Steve, when things settle down, if you want to, come stay with us and rest and relax.
Love, Bob & Candy
My condolences to Judy’s family. The Class of 1964 will greatly miss her. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Joyce Rider
I am so very saddened to learn of Judy’s passing. While I haven’t seen her much since our high school and college days when we went to school together, I will always fondly remember her as Julie Jordan in our high school musical, Carousel. I had the privilege of playing opposite her in two of our high school musicals. She was a fabulous leading lady then and remained so for the rest of her life. I extend my sympathy and condolences to all of her family members and friends. She will be missed.
I had the privilege of knowing Judy through singing with her in the Shawnee Presbyterian choir. She was a lovely person and we choir members did miss her lovely voice and winning personality after she left. I send my heartfelt sympathy to you, her family. Reta Ousdahl
Steve – I was so sorry to hear of Judy’s passing. Over the years at COR and BVRC you have shared so many stories of your family and trips. She touched the lives of many people and we are all blessed to have known her. We are keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers.
I am so saddened by the passing of Judy. She was a very dear friend of mine from high school and was a fellow Jayhawk in college. Judy had amazing musical talents to share with the world. She was a very bright spot in my life, and I will miss her greatly. My thoughts and prayers are with Steve and their family.
Sally (Viola) Cullor
Steve, Jenny, Jeff, Katie and Will
We are sorry for the passing of Judy (wife, mom and grandma). We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
So very sorry for the loss of your beautiful wife and mother. Judy was an amazing person and will be greatly missed. My thought and prayers are with you all.
Sincerely,
Jessica Dupriest
Steve and family, My husband and I are very sorry to hear of Judy’s passing. Judy was a wonderful person and friend and always up beat through all of her life. We now live in Florida and are sorry we could not have attended the memorial for her. God Bless you and your family. We are thinking of you at this time. Spence and Jeanne Maurer
Judy was indeed a blessing to JCYM. Her service was beautiful! Liz Grimes