Judith Ann (Crookston) Reed

Judith Ann (Crookston) Reed went home to be with the Lord on November 6th, 2019 at the age of 61. Born in Akron, she stayed close to home living in the Akron area all her life. She graduated from Lake High School and went on to attend Akron City Hospital’s Idabelle Firestone School of Nursing and the University of Akron, receiving her RN in 1978. She cared for others working at various medical centers including Edwin Shaw Hospital and the private practice of Dr. Don McCoy who proudly boasted that, “Judy is the best nurse I have ever met.” Judy’s compassion for others extended far beyond nursing. She lived out Psalm 82:3 to “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” Judy was a beloved foster parent, volunteer at Warm Up Akron, Akron Pregnancy Care, YMCA Youth Mentorship Program, and the Akron VA Clinic. Judy enjoyed knitting blankets for Veterans, the homeless, and new babies. She poured love into every blanket she made, and it was always felt by those that received them. Judy selflessly loved her family and friends, joyfully celebrating their successes and quickly running to share their burdens. She was a nurturer in every sense, a nurturer of faith, a nurturer of hope, a nurturer of dreams. Judy loved to travel, go on bicycle adventures, and do the Fall Hiking Spree with her husband. She loved snuggling her grandbabies, flowers and gardening, and making greeting cards. She loved maple glazed donuts, Strickland’s ice cream, and was one of the few people in the world who loved candy corn. Most of all, she loved to see other people happy. She could always be found working in the background helping to make sure things went right. She was the world’s best listener, best comforter, best present wrapper, and the world’s most thoughtful gift giver. Judy was preceded in death by her mother and father, Mary and Albert Crookston. She will be deeply missed by her husband of 41 years, George Reed; two children, Nathan Reed and Holly (Brandon) Hartman; two grandchildren, Eric Brenner and Lucas Hartman; seven siblings, Betsy, Susie, James, Patrick, Lisa, Sally, and Al; dear friends, Kathy Reeves and Barbara Simons; and a large extended family. A celebration of Judy’s life will be on November 23rd, 2019 at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home in Ellet: 547 Canton Road. Akron, OH 44312. There will be an hour of visitation beginning at 1 p.m. The memorial will begin at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Haven of Rest Ministries. (Hopkins Lawver, Akron, 330-733-6271) www.hopkinslawver.com