Judith Kay Wadleigh

A visitation to Celebrate Mom will be held 

Saturday, January 4, 2025 

11 am to 3pm 

Blue Springs Christian Church 

7920 MO-7

Blue Springs, MO 64014

Please come and visit with us as long as you can. You may leave at your convenience. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Show-Me Christian Youth Home.

Judith Kay (Gardner) Wadleigh (Miss Judy), born on March 9, 1942, took Jesus’ outstretched arm on Monday, December 2, 2024 and went home with Him. A blood clot had travelled to her lungs after hip replacement surgery due to a fall at home.

Judy is survived by a multitude of friends and a family that loved her very much. Charles Wadleigh, her high school sweetheart and husband for 61 years, together went to school dances, Job’s Daughters and DeMolay dances and a myriad of other events. Many times, Judy cheered for Charles at his football and baseball games and was even crowned Homecoming Queen their senior year! After Charles and Judy got married (June 1, 1963), they both taught school in Raytown and had 3 children – Mike (Lorri), Michelle (Jim) and Mark (Angela). Judy was blessed to get to regularly babysit her 5 grandchildren – Dylan (Madeleine), Hannah, Eric, Jake and Elliana. She raised her family with love, support, and kindness. She had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh with loved ones and friends. NOW she finally gets to go see her mama and daddy, Mary (1916 – 2007) and Al Gardner (1915 – 1972) and play with her grandson Benjamin Bryan (May 31, 2009 – June 1, 2009). Judy precedes her brothers Bill (Jodi) Gardner, OK, and Jim (Deloris) Gardner, TX and their families. 

For over 30 years, Judy dedicated herself to teaching early childhood age students as an elementary school teacher at Whiteman Air Force Base and Raytown C-2 School District. She taught 1st and 2nd grades, but the majority of her career was spent at Blue Ridge Elementary developing and teaching Kindergarten Readiness, an innovative program designed to address the needs of students who were age-eligible for kindergarten but needed additional emotional and academic skills to ensure their future success. She felt such satisfaction and joy in the classroom. Her leadership and teaching skills built a program that has had lasting effects for influencing the necessity of ensuring the public education of kindergarten age students.

Judy's academic achievements were marked by her specialist degree in teaching, a testament to her dedication and expertise in her field. However, her warm, caring nature stood out even more than her credentials. With an unwavering faith, she approached life with selflessness and compassion, always prioritizing the needs of others. With the love she has for Jesus and her talents in education, Judy shared the responsibilities of organizing children’s Sunday School with her good friend Betty Trotter at the Raytown Church of Christ for 20+ years. She also established a new church library. She loved pouring into the lives of young mothers and caring for their little ones in the church nursery and Sunday School classrooms. Yet, her love for her husband, children and grandchildren were her proudest accomplishment, and she cherished every moment spent with them.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Judy found joy in several hobbies. She enjoyed spending time at the family’s lake cabin and farm, cooking and baking for family gatherings, scrapbooking, sewing, quilting, tatting, coloring, sudoku and puzzles. She made each grandchild a baby blanket and later a twin sized quilt just to name a couple of her cherished projects. 

A lover of animals, Judy had several pets. She told us stories of her Collie named King, and her parrot named JoJo from when she was a girl. Then she loved on Taffy, Patches, a hamster and some pet fish. Once Patches was gone, mom said “No more fur, feathers or fins!” But then she met Michelle’s Bichon and had to have one too. So, her favorite companion was her beloved pup, Missy, who filled her days for the last 16 years with joy and loyalty. They shared a very special bond, hardly ever leaving each other’s side. Missy even rode in the child’s seat of the grocery cart! 

Judy's life was a beautiful tapestry of faith, love, and service. She touched countless lives through her teaching, her kindness, and her profound love for the Lord and her family. She leaves behind a rich legacy that will continue to inspire all who were lucky enough to have her in their lives. As we remember Judy, we celebrate a remarkable woman whose wisdom, warmth, selfless heart and loving spirit will forever remain in our hearts. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, friend and more; she is deeply missed.