Judith Ann "Judy" Underwood

Judith Ann Underwood, 81, of Mooresville, Indiana (formerly a long-time resident of Alaska) passed away Wednesday, September 28, 2022. She was born in Missoula, Montana on February 26, 1941, to the late Russell F. and Helen May (Elsethagen) Underwood, Sr.
Judy served as a Dispatcher (and later Dispatch Supervisor) for the Univ. of AK Anchorage Police Department in Anchorage, Alaska for many years and retired from there. As a child, she moved with her family from Montana to Washington state and then to Alaska in 1951, where she helped in building the family’s home. Judy graduated from high school in 1959, the year Alaska became the 49th US State. During her time in Alaska, she lived through the 1964 Earthquake and numerous volcanic eruptions. Judy and her husband (with their 2 children) were quite mobile moving to multiple parts of Alaska & later in the Lower 48. She enjoyed crafting and working with her hands. From painting ceramics to carving soap stone, she was very artistic. She loved cooking and baking for the holidays as well. She enjoyed the outdoors and spent a lot of time at “Ma’s Beach” where she was an avid beach comber for agates. Judy was the Matriarch of the family, much like her favorite animal, the elephant, which she had an extensive collection of. She was very dedicated to her family & friends. She was a loving Mother and loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She truly enjoyed a cold, tall glass of milk. She was her own person, shared her opinion, was strong willed and could do anything she set her mind to. She paved the way for generations of strong women to follow.
Judy was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her loving daughter, Deborah Lynn (Michael) Shade, her brother Russell (Earlene) Underwood, Jr., her sisters, Donna (Jerry) Urling, Barbara McDaniel, Linda Van Luven and their children and grandchildren. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Benjamin (Missy) Howard, Beau (Mary) Shade, Sarah (David) Coyne, Kayla (Adam) Henderson, Stephen Howard, and Tanya Lay, and her great grandchildren, Haley Howard, Carter Williams, Josie Howard, Brooke Williams, Brooklynne Howard, and Hazel Howard. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her children, Roxy Lay and William Russell Howard. Judy’s final request was to be cremated and she did not wish to have any services. She wanted those she knew and loved to remember her the last time they saw or spoke with her, her family is honoring that request. Flanner Buchanan Decatur Township – Indianapolis, IN is honored to serve the Underwood family. To sign her online guest registry and share your memories with her family you are invited to go to www.flannerbuchanan.com