Judith "Judy" Lantz

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Judith Ann Bottomley Lantz (September 8, 1941 – August 12, 2021). Judith left this world on her own terms, the same way she lived. She was a beloved mom, aunt, friend, daughter, co-worker, and, most of all, wife.

She met her husband Tom when both were working at Western Electric. Married in 1963, their strong and loving partnership extended for 58 years.

Judith cared not only for her children, pets, and husband, but also, as a nurse, for many others while working for Community East. Into her final days, co-workers recalled working with her to her daughter Kelly, who is the family’s third generation of nurses. Judith earned a Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing in 1980 from Indiana Vocational Technical College and her Associate’s Degree in nursing from Marian College in 1984.

She was as funny as she was sarcastic, as curious as she was impatient, and as unpredictable as she was creative. She expressed her creativity in sewing, cooking, baking, and interior design. She sewed baby quilts for grandchildren and sewed clothing. She excelled at cooking and baking a full repertoire of delicious favorites: Fried chicken, spaghetti and meatballs, lemon meringue pie, beef stroganoff, angel food cake, lasagna. For many years the Christmas dessert spread included chocolate and orange press cookies, thumbprint cookies, Mexican wedding cake cookies, 7-layer cookies, iced sugar cookies, and chocolate fudge, baked with Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians singing Christmas carols on the record player.  At the same time, she was always searching out new ingredients, flavors, restaurants, fabrics, patterns, and recipes. She decorated her homes with skill and enthusiasm. She not only bought home furnishings; she sewed coverlets, pillows, and drapes; she made lampshades; she designed, wallpapered, painted, and laid tile.

Like all working mothers, she worried about spending enough time with each of her children. She spent late nights baking birthday cakes. She brought them to their sports leagues, on hikes in Fall Creek, to old-time western movies at the art museum, and to Kings Island, the State Fair, and the library. Believing fervently in the importance of the individual, each child got the opportunity to plan a daytrip alone with her.

Judith leaves behind husband Tom; a sister, Barbara; and children Lynda (Keith), Kelly (Lee), and Mark (Johanna). She also leaves grandchildren Christian (Ashton), Trace, Maybelle, Sofia, Cora, and Caterina; and granddaughters Iris Lillian and Delilah. She was preceded in death by her mother, Helen; father, Bill; Aunt June; Alice, and Bertha.

We would like to thank the caring staff of Fresenius Medical Care, Community East Hospital, Rosewalk, and Community Home Health Palliative and Hospice. In memory of Judy, please feel free to make a donation to the charity of your choice.

Visitation for Judy will be Tuesday, August 17th, at Flanner Buchanan Washington Park East from 1pm-3pm. Her funeral service will begin at 3pm. If you would wish to view her service virtually, please use this link.