Judith Lovejoy

Judith Lovejoy had a heart for others and her outgoing personality won her many friends. She felt a special tenderness toward pets, especially her two labs, Kodi and Levi. She enjoyed being active and visiting new places. She was a dedicated wife and mother, and a loyal friend.Judy was born to Howard and Mae Chase Schultz on March 7, 1940, at the Douglas Hospital, also known as the Kirby House. Judy had a big brother, Howard, and she arrived with her twin sister, Jerrie Nan. Sadly, the family lost little Jerrie Nan when the girls were only three months old. Judy was just a young girl during the years of World War II, blessedly oblivious to the conflict that battered the globe until 1945. Judy's father worked as an Allegan County Road Commission Supervisor and Douglas Village Clerk. When Judy was old enough, she worked as his secretary. Judy's mother, Mae, was a telephone operator in Douglas, a vital part of the small lakeshore community. Judy attended Douglas Elementary School and grew up as a member of the United Methodist Church. She was a cheerleader in high school for four years, played the clarinet, and served the band as a drum major. Judy graduated from Saugatuck High School in 1958 with fifteen classmates. Judy's brother Howard was active in school as well, and Judy often attended his basketball games. When Judy was twelve, she met a boy named Frank at one of Howard's tournaments. Frank was just one year older than she, and the two dated in high school. After high school, the couple took separate paths, but continued to see each other at times. Judy attended Michigan State for one year and ended up moving to Grand Rapids, living at 119 1/2 Lafayette St. She found a job as a secretary at Hartger and Willard Mortgage and Investment Company. Frank joined the Navy in 1961 and was stationed in Iceland for two years. When he returned stateside, Judy and Frank's friends decided that their on-again, off-again relationship had lasted long enough. Judy and Frank agreed, and determined that their paths would not separate again. They were married on November 16, 1963, at the Congregational Church in Saugatuck by the Reverend Clarence Hanscom.The newlyweds settled in Jacksonville, Florida, where Frank was stationed. Almost exactly one year later, Frank, Jr. arrived. He was born at NAS JAX, the base hospital, just one month after hurricane Dora swept across northern Florida. Frank, Jr. was born prematurely and nine other baby girls arrived at the base that same day, a fact attributed to a significant drop in the barometric pressure. In 1965, Frank's time in the military was completed and the family moved back to Douglas to a farm house on 130th Avenue. Frank took a job with Chase Manufacturing, and Judy worked for the Saugatuck Drug Store. Five years later, the family moved to Kentwood for Frank's job. Now that Frank, Jr. was older, Judy looked for work and answered an ad in the paper for a job at the Gerald R. Ford Museum when it opened in 1981. Working with people was conducive to her friendly personality, and she remained there until she retired eighteen years later.Judy loved to travel. Always ready for an adventure, she was willing to go anywhere at a moment's notice. She and Frank visited virtually every region of the United States. There was nothing quite like seafood on the east coast. She appreciated the diversity of the nation's landscape as well as its people. History came alive for Judy when she visited historical sites, standing on the very same ground as so many influential people. The Lovejoys lived in Kentwood for almost thirty years. Judy remained faithful to her friends and family back in Saugatuck, visiting on weekends. In 2001, she and Frank moved back to Saugatuck, finding a home at 53 Park Street. A short while later, Judy was diagnosed with acute emphysema. After battling the disease for two long years, Judy passed away. Judy died on Monday, February 21, 2005, at Holland Community Hospital. She was preceded in death by her sister, Jerrie Nan and her parents, Howard and Mae Schultz. She is survived by Frank, her husband of forty-one years; her son and daughter-in-law, Frank H. and Becky Lovejoy of Kentwood; her brother and sister-in-law, Howard and Paula Schultz of Ganges; and her three nieces.Visitation will be held on Friday, February 25, from 7-9 p.m. at the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes - Saugatuck Chapel, 520 Lake Street. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, February 26, at 10:00 a.m., the Reverend Edith Winter officiating. Please visit Judy's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers, or make a memorial contribution to the American Lung Association.