Judith A. Bylsma

Judith Ann Bylsma, 86, of Holland, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, September 26, 2025 after a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer.

Born on May 7, 1939, in Grand Rapids, Judy was the youngest of three children. She grew up in Grand Rapids and enjoyed childhood friends, golfing, ice skating, and playing the piano. Judy always wished she could have played on a high school golf team, but opportunities for girls in school sports didn’t exist at the time. She graduated from South High School in 1957 and began working at Bell Telephone Company, where she was promoted to serve as secretary to the District Manager.

She met her husband, Gary, at church, and they married in 1960 at Fifth Reformed Church. They began their life together in Lansing while Gary completed his MBA at Michigan State University. After graduation, they moved to Dearborn where their first son, Dan, was born. Longing to return to their hometown, they settled in Grand Rapids two years later, where they welcomed their other two children, Tom and Betsy.

Judy was devoted to caring for her family and created a home filled with warmth, joy, and hospitality. Her home was a place where everyone was welcome, and she loved hosting gatherings for friends and family. The family enjoyed many camping trips - summers with friends at Wilderness State Park, Christmas vacations at Disney’s Fort Wilderness campground, and visits to national parks across the country.

Once her children were grown, Judy enjoyed wallpapering for friends and later began working at Freedom Village, where she served for 16 years. Her warm, outgoing personality made her a natural at welcoming new residents, and providing supportive care in their later years.

In 1998, Judy and Gary designed and built a home in Holland spacious enough to gather their growing family. The home was created with her family and grandchildren in mind. She adored each of her nine grandchildren and was their biggest fan, faithfully cheering them on at sporting events, recitals, concerts, and life milestones. She was not only their grandmother, but their devoted friend.

Judy was overjoyed with the arrival of each great-grandchild. The family welcomed seven great-grandchildren in just two and half years, with another expected by the end of the year. Though she won’t be here to watch them grow, her love will continue to surround them.

Faith and family were Judy’s greatest treasures. She faithfully served at her church and used her knitting talents to create clothing for children around the world, and special gifts for her great-grandchildren. She lived out her faith daily, showing the love of Christ by loving and serving others with humility, joy and humor.

Judy and Gary cherished every opportunity to spend with family. They planned many memorable trips, including a Caribbean cruise to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, visits to Disney World, Marco Island, and numerous spring break and summer trips to Hilton Head, Smoky Mountains, Cooperstown, Mackinaw Island, and even tent camping in their later years - just to be close to those they loved. But the most cherished time of all was the annual week at the cottage on Lake Michigan, where the family gathered for days of beach fun, swimming, campfires, shared meals, sunsets, and countless games.

Judy embraced life fully and found joy in many hobbies including golfing, rollerblading, biking, reading books on the beach, and playing the piano. She had a passion for flower gardening, and her backyard was her sanctuary, full of color and life.

She loved people and had a remarkable gift for truly seeing and including others. Judy never met a stranger; she made friends wherever she went. Her exuberance for life, feisty spirit, warm hugs and radiant smile lit up every room she entered. She also loved playing games, particularly card games, and was known as the fastest Peanuts player around. She especially cherished her Bridge group, which met twice a month for over 55 years.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Goldie Van Ess; her brother, Jack Van Ess; and two granddaughters, Taylor Bylsma and Jaide Bylsma. She is survived by her husband of nearly 65 years, Gary Bylsma; children Dan (Janice) Bylsma, Tom Bylsma, and Betsy (Russ) Kopp; grandchildren Jacob (Samantha) Bylsma, Jonah Bylsma, Caleb (Kaila) Bylsma, Jordan Bylsma, Logan (Stephanie) Bylsma, Mitchell Kopp, Isaac Bylsma, Aleah (Ben) DeVries, and Madelyn Kopp; great-grandchildren Leland, Cameron, Hutchinson, Tucker, Skyler, Hallie, Isla, and one unborn baby on the way; and her sister Delores (David) Bixel.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday October 6, 2025, at First Reformed Church, 630 State St., Holland, Michigan, with visitation prior to the service from 10:00–11:00 a.m. Visitation will also be held on Sunday, October 5, 2025, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Dykstra Funeral Home - Mulder Chapel, 188 - 32nd. St, Holland, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hope College Bylsma Family Scholarship Fund or Hospice of Holland.