Judy Worster

With a persevering spirit, Judith "Judy" Elizabeth Worster lived a life rich in family and friends. Judy was a strong woman who never shied from hard work. She devoted herself to her family and gave all she could to assure them of her love and support. Having endured many hardships over her lifetime, Judy was understandably very private and cautious. However, once she knew a person, she was loving, trusting, and extremely loyal. A cherished mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Judy will long be remembered by those she so dearly loved.

Despite the obvious gloom of the growing conflict in Europe, 1939 held much to celebrate, including the end of the Great Depression, the premieres of the classic films Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz, regular television began to broadcast nationwide, and The World's Fair in New York. As the U.S. actively armed up for war, families continued to center their lives on love and hope for a brighter future. Nowhere was that hope more evident than when Judy was born on June 3 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The youngest of the three Simpson daughters, Judy and her older sisters, Carol and Beverly, forged extremely close bonds. Judy's childhood proved challenging as her father was an unemployed alcoholic who left the home while the girls were quite young. As a result, the sisters spent all their time caring for one another. Their mother worked at a local bakery and tended to their home on Prospect St. SE in Grand Rapids. Judy fondly remembered her mother coming home from her bakery job smelling of powdered sugar. The neighborhood was not very nice at that time, adding to the family's stress and strain. Despite their mother's hard work, the family was quite poor. Holidays were humble. The family often relied on neighbors for food, and "The Santa Claus Girls," a local charity organization, provided Christmas gifts.

Judy began her schooling at Dickenson Elementary in Grand Rapids. After the family moved to Denwood Ave. in Wyoming, Judy attended Godfrey Lee Middle School in Wyoming before completing her education at South High School in Grand Rapids. Judy loved Elvis Presley and hanging out with friends. Though the family could not take vacations, Judy enjoyed an active social life. She loved hanging out with her girlfriends in the nearby beach town of Grand Haven, "cruising the strip," and staying in rented cottages with her friends in the summertime. Though Judy's family didn't attend church, she participated in Sunday School with friends' family a few times.

Judy met Paul Worster, who was from Lincoln, Maine, while he was on leave from the military and visiting Army buddies in Grand Rapids. The pair dated briefly, and after a whirlwind romance, they married at Justice of the Peace in Grand Rapids and honeymooned in Germany, where Paul was stationed in the Army.

Soon the couple welcomed three children to their family. Kathleen Rae was born in May of 1957, Karin Cristie in July of 1960, and Paul C. the III in August of 1963. When the marriage ended in divorce, Paul left the country, leaving Judy to raise the children alone.

A busy single mother, Judy worked hard to provide for her children. For thirty years, she worked as a bus driver for Grand Rapids Public Schools. She loved being a bus driver and was very proud of her work. She was a loving mother who made sure her children were clean, fed, and had clean clothing. She put her children before herself and allowed them to make mistakes and learn from them. She was a fun mom, taking her children to parades, shopping, the zoo, and the movies. Judy did not particularly enjoy cooking but made awesome fried chicken and fresh potato salad.

Sadly, Judy's father died at 67 years old in 1970, her mother died of heart failure in 1996 and her daughter Kathleen passed away in 2008. Despite the many hardships, disappointments, and losses she faced, Judy always found a way to not just survive but also to flourish. She found joy in the simple things, like spending time with her children, listening to good music, reading books, going out to eat, and visiting extended family. She loved listening to music on her treasured stereo, which typically played rock and roll, especially Elvis Presley, and classic country tunes by Merle Haggard, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Tammy Wynette. In quiet times, she enjoyed reading biographies of famous celebrities. When possible, she loved eating at Bill Knapp's restaurant and indulging in the delights at Sweetland Candy Shop. When her children were still home, family trips were centered on visiting family relations in Ohio and Maine. In retirement, Judy finally visited Elvis Presley's Graceland home in Memphis, Tennessee. She also took a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada.

Having lived a simple life, Judy was never materialistic, and her children and grandchildren were her greatest pride and joy. She treasured her family photos and the cars she owned over the years—especially her first brand-new car, which reflected all her hard work and sacrifice.

As we celebrate Judy's life, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in the honor of carrying Judy's legacy indomitable spirit forward. In each moment we treasure the simple things in life, confidently face life's challenges, choose hope over despair, listen to good music, and share time with those we love, we keep Judy's memory alive and inspiring others as she so inspired each of us.

Judith E. Worster "Judy," aged 85, of Grand Rapids, MI, passed away peacefully in the company of her family on Saturday, August 31, 2024.

Judy was born in the spring of 1939 in Grand Rapids, MI, to the late George Simpson and Lucille (Utting) Crespo.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter Kathleen Rae Reniff, sister Beverly Webb, and brother-in-law Burt Wynsma.

She is survived by her daughter Karin (Rex) Ebenstein and son Paul (Lavonne) Worster III, as well as by grandchildren Kevin (Melissa) Reniff, Ryan (Christine) Reniff, Stephanie Swaney, Dustin (Olivia) Ebenstein, Benjamin Worster, and Bryan Worster. Judy is also survived by her 9 great-grandchildren, her sister Carol Wynsma, and many nieces and nephews.

Per Judy's wishes, cremation has taken place.

A memorial service to celebrate Judy's life will be held on Monday, September 9, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt-Shawmut Chapel (2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504). Relatives and friends may meet her family at the funeral home prior to the service, which begins at 10:00 a.m.

Judy will be laid to rest next to her daughter Kathleen in Washington Park Cemetery in Grand Rapids, MI.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Santa Claus Girls of Kent County (P.O. Box 543, Comstock Park, MI 49321).

Please visit www.heritagelifestory.com to submit a favorite memory or photo and to sign the guestbook.