Judy Kay (Van Luke) Van Riper was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on July 14, 1944 to a truly badass mom, Eugenie "Jean" Pearl Sovey, who wore red lipstick, smoked Lark cigarettes, made the best molasses cookies, and exclaimed "Whoop-De-Doodie-Do" when she won at bingo or cards. Gramma Jean raised Judy with lots of fierce love and care. Judy in turn cared for her mom until the end of Jean's life.

Judy was a Procurement Clerk for the federal government for 14 years in both Michigan and Philadelphia PA, and she loved this work. When her kids were young, she worked a variety of temp jobs through Kelly Services. She took summers off to spend time with her kids.

One favorite memory of Judy's was a house with a swimming pool she shared with her friends Molly, Celeste, Jane & Louise when they were in their early 20s. They loved hosting parties, playing Beatles records, and serving their friends cocktails (even though Judy didn't drink). They had so much fun together in their "bachelorette pad" that they ultimately got kicked out for having too many parties.

The Moon Lake neighborhood in Georgetown, Kentucky was Judy's favorite place she ever lived because that's when her four kids were still little and they were all together.  She loved being a mom and raising her kids. She loved the community she felt there.

Judy was no stranger to heartache and grief. Her dad Carl Orville Van Luke died when she was just five years old. Judy also lost her beloved son, James Christopher Van Riper, who died tragically in 2001. She missed her son deeply as they were very close, and we know they are having a happy reunion now. Judy is also preceded in death by her brother David Orville Van Luke, her stepdad Ed Sovey, and her mom Eugenie Pearl.

Judy had a deep well of strength. She endured a lifetime of mental health challenges and lived with Bipolar I Disorder. Her life was a wild ride dealing with mania, depression, and the shame and stigma of mental illness at a time when most people didn't understand. She endured many hospitalizations and treatments throughout her life. When Judy was in her 50s, she led therapy groups and did advocacy work for others living with the same disability. She liked being able to help others. Judy survived breast cancer in 2023. Life can be so insufferably long but it is so very, very short.

Judy is survived by her love, John Hull Van Riper, her husband of 59 years who remained by her side as her caretaker until the end; her children – Jody Van Riper & spouse Libby Roach, Jonathan Van Riper and his wife Jennifer (Maronski) Van Riper, and Julia Van Riper & her kitty Jemimah; and her adored grandkids – Isabella, Nicolaus, and Abigail Van Riper. Judy is survived by her three beloved cats: Newman, Winnie, and Polly, who slept in her hospice bed with her and rarely left her side. She is also survived by her dear sister Nancy (Hester) Lee & husband Earl, and all of her nieces and nephews who she loved very much.

The family would like to thank the entire team at UP Home Health and Hospice; especially her wonderful CNA Cheryl and Nurse Elyssa who both provided expert, loving, and comforting care. Melissa Koepp provided invaluable respite care when it was needed most. Judy was able to die peacefully at home, just as she wished. Thank you all so much.

The family will hold a private celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, Judy would want you to give a cat or dog (especially a stray) some extra special care and love.

We will miss you mom! Your life was meaningful to us and we will always remember how strong and how very sweet you were. Thank you for gifting us the precious remnants and traces of you that we carry in each of us.

"All I had to do was look at the palm of my hand, feel the breeze on my face or the earth under my feet to remember that my mother is always with me, available at any time." – Thich Nhat Hanh.