Judith (Judy) Ann Crow, 85, of Brownsburg, passed from this life Sunday, January 22 in Greenwood, Indiana.  Judy was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on October 10, 1937, to parents Russel and Martha Hutton.  She grew up on the westside of Indianapolis and graduated from George Washington High School.    She married the love of her life, Bill Crow, in 1955 and was married for 38 years until his passing.   Judy was also preceded in death by her parents, stepmother Beulah Hutton, and her brother Ronald Hutton.  Judy was a member of Chapel Rock Christian Church.   She enjoyed reading, crafts and traveling all over the United States and Europe.   Judy was also a member of Psi Iota Xi sorority and enjoyed helping with philanthropy events and making their famous cheese balls for the Christmas holidays.  Judy often played Euchre with her card club ladies, made many crafts with her homemaker’s club, and spent many Friday evenings with her neighborhood friends at cocktail hour.   Judy enjoyed watching sports and cheered on the Indianapolis Colts with passion.  Judy adored and loved her entire family and enjoyed spending birthdays, holidays, ball games, and other fun times with them all.  Judy is survived by her three children:  sons Greg Crow (Arlene) and Jeff Crow (Becky), and daughter Tammy Fath (Kyle).   She was grandmother to Philip, Rachel, Jacob, Amy, Brooke, Kassidy, and Jenna, and great grandmother to Austin, Camden, Myla, Owen, Baby Crow, Asa, Vincent, Isaac, and Colton. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 28 at Flanner Buchanan-Speedway (2950 N. High School Road) with viewing from 9:00-10:00 AM followed by the service at 10:00am.

Judith Ann Crow Eulogy

Thank you to everyone who came today to help us remember and celebrate the life of Judy Hutton Crow.   Judy lived a “full life” of 85 years and touched everyone she met given her outgoing personality and her fondness for almost all social events.  Judy liked to be around people.

Judy was a proud and “strong willed” person who had clear ideas on most topics, but she was also one who valued her friendships and deeply loved her family.

Judy attended church services with her family at Speedway Christian when she was younger, and later in life at Chapel Rock Christian with Jeff’s family and at St. Bartholomew Catholic church with Tammy’s family on Sundays, Easter and Christmas.   She enjoyed participating in the services and singing to good hymns like Amazing Grace.  Judy didn’t attend church as often when she couldn’t drive herself but she always kept her bible on her nightstand – and it’s still there today.

She spent a lot of time with her lady friends; whether playing Euchre at card club, making the famous cheese balls with her Psi Iota Xi (Sy Iota Zi) sorority, and crafting Christmas ornaments with Homemakers club.  Each year when we put up her Christmas tree, she always made sure these Homemaker ornaments were placed “just so” on the tree.   Of course, Wilma’s angels always had a special place right in front.   Judy was very particular about that.    Over the past several years, she would spend most Friday nights (weather and COVID permitting) at cocktail hour with her neighborhood lady friends.

Judy liked to be around people, going out to eat, and having a cold adult beverage.  Going out to eat was a big treat for her.   We were fortunate to have taken her out to KUMO Hibachi to celebrate Kassidy’s birthday the night before we had to take her to the hospital the first time. She got a kick out of the chef but missed every shrimp flung her way.    She liked her fast food too.  She would say that she really wanted a quarter pounder from McDonald’s from time to time so Tammy obliged.   She loved Chic Fil A with “extra pickles” and the fries better be hot!    One of our traditions each year was to eat breakfast at Flap Jacks the Friday after Thanksgiving.  Judy would treat us to breakfast in return for setting up her Christmas tree and decorations.

Judy really, really, really liked to celebrate her birthday and wanted to make sure we all knew when it was.   She gave us about a two-month advanced notice every year.  Even though she aged one more year every year until she was 85, she never got tired of all the candles and singing.

Nothing would bring a smile to her face faster than watching her kids and grandkids play sports or seeing a bunch of young children running around her house during the holidays.   She treasured every minute she spent with her family and spending time with family was always a high priority for her.

I asked the family for their input on their mom and grandmother.   Here’s some of their thoughts and fondest memories.

Greg

Greg remembered all the support mom gave him during his days of playing sports – watching his games and matches and making sure that he was well fed to help him endure hard practices including 2-a-days during football.  Judy made sure the fridge was always well stocked – gallons of milk, loaves of bread, fruits, lunch meats, etc. and plenty of Gatorade.   Greg never worried about being hungry, but I expect Bill worried about their grocery bills.

She would also prepare pasta dishes during football season and Greg’s “special meal” after wrestling consisting of only hamburger or steak well after dinner was done and cleaned up for the others.

Greg inherited his mom’s enthusiasm for watching sports as he can’t sit quietly in the stands.  Is that true Phil?   If you ever sat with Judy and watched a Colts game on Sunday afternoon, you certainly experienced her enthusiasm.

Jeff

When Jeff reflected on his memories of mom, he quickly remembered her endless love and inherent desire to teach and treat people with open arms.    Jeff said that she showed our family how to form good relationships with friends in our community and how to make good choices.

Mom would always plan a Sunday night dinner and make her delicious pot roast so we could all be together and share with each other.    Jeff said that mom would always be in the bleachers cheering her kids on for all sports and other school activities.

Jeff loved his mom dearly and said she was the best mom he could have asked for.  We were lucky to have loved and be loved by Mom.

Tammy

Tammy’s memories of Mom are how much she loved her family.    Her mom was always there for her in so many ways growing up.    I expect that Greg and Jeff would agree that their little sister was just a tad spoiled.

Tammy remembers her almost daily calls to Mom just to talk about the things that happened yesterday, what they were doing today, sharing some secrets, how much snow was coming, etc.  Just chit chat but there was seldom a day that would go by without Tammy talking to her mom.   Tammy’s mom was a bit like the older sister that she never had – sharing good times and frustrations.

About two years ago, the tables turned when her Mom’s health worsened and it was Tammy’s turn to take care of her.   Tammy enjoyed going to lunch with her mom, taking her to doctor appointments, going shopping, and helping around the house.   Tammy and her Mom would bicker some but both were pretty set in their ways.

Tammy mentioned that the last couple months, Mom changed a bit and was more relaxed, didn’t complain, and treated all the care givers really nice.  Aspen Trace said that Judy was one of the sweet residents.  Even though Mom wasn’t feeling well, she kept all that to herself, and tried to be positive and agreeable every day.  Tammy will always remember that sense of calmness.

Her mom was Tammy’s best friend and was always there to comfort and provide a shoulder to cry on.   Tammy will miss her forever but her Mom be always be in her heart.

 Phil

Phil remembers as a kid going to Grandma and Grandpa’s house.  After visiting for a while, they would get the kids going on some activity like lawn darts, flying a kite, and swimming in the hot tub.   Grandma and grandpa would stop whatever they were doing and watch the kids with big smiles.   This continued with my kids.  When visiting Grandma, the kids would head for the toy closet or garage for a ball.  Grandma would love watching them play in the living room or run the backyard from her patio with a big smile on her face.
About five years ago, Phil’s family started getting Grandma a variety of photo gifts for Christmas.  Her excitement and appreciation for these gifts was awesome to see and she would always have them prominently displayed at her house when we visited.  We were so excited to come up with these gifts and see the reaction from Grandma.
Back in 2007, Laura and Rachel headed downtown for a free Faith Hill concert to kick off the Indianapolis Colts season.  They were walking downtown to get to the concert when they ran into Grandma decked out in Colts gear along with and her friend.   Grandma was slightly embarrassed, but Rachel and Laura were impressed by their “cool” Grandma.

 Rachel

Some of Rachel’s favorites memories are Easter and Thanksgiving holidays spent together.  The Crow home was always so fun, warm and welcoming.  Grandma always made such delicious food!   Rachel loved sitting around Grandma’s table visiting and laughing.

Grandma took time with each grandchild and great grandchild to make everyone feel special and loved.  She had the best smile and always had a kiss and a hug for you.

Rachel loved that family time was so important to Grandma. In her later years, we loved meeting in Brownsburg for dinner dates and phone chats to catch up during the pandemic.  She encouraged us all to do what we loved.  She filled her home with photos of the family she was so proud of.  I’m so grateful she was my grandmother and that we had so many wonderful years with her.

 Jacob

Jacob remembers waking up to Grandma Judy making biscuits and gravy at the lake house especially if he was able to stay in the rainbow room the night before.   The good old rainbow room – the favorite room for all the grandkids.

Jacob remembered going to the farmhouse in Speedway when Grandpa was alive too and flying kites in the Coke lot.

Jacob and Grandma used to go out to the mall for Christmas shopping together every year.  He remembered the first time they transitioned to internet shopping.  They still spent the day together but finished at Brownsburg McDonald’s to steal some Wi-Fi and Jacob showed her the ropes of the internet.

Amy

 One of Amy’s favorite memories of Grandma was always going to Christmas eve service and then going back to her house for some of our favorite treats.  She would always make sure to have her famous cheeseball from the sorority, shrimp cocktail, and of course some pickles for us kids.   Grandma would then bring out cookies and peppermint ice cream. (Yes, Judy had to have peppermint ice cream every Christmas!)  They would finish the night by opening gifts.

Every year (even when Amy was probably too old for the tradition), Grandma would get Amy a new pair of pajamas that she would immediately change into and fall asleep by her fireplace.   Amy remembers Grandma always saying that must mean that I was comfortable at her house, which she was.   She always wanted to make sure everyone felt comforted around her and that’s something Amy will always remember and cherish about her.   Amy has now continued the Christmas pajama tradition with my own family and hopes to pass on the love and comfort she always received from Grandma.

Brooke, Kassidy, Jenna

 All three of my girls mentioned all the good times they had spending the night at Grandma’s, eating her home-cooked dinners, going to parks, and seeing movies.   Both Brooke and Kassidy were able to stay at Grandma’s at times when they were at college.   Jenna stayed at Grandma’s over spring break and still remembers seeing the JLo’s movie Marry Me and going to eat at Iguana’s Mexican restaurant.  They loved staying at Grandma’s – there was never an argument about going.

Brooke and Kassidy remember the fun times at the lake house – swimming and boating with the cousins, fishing, going to see the July 4^th fireworks on the water (well, except Kassidy who still doesn’t like fireworks).  Judy always made her home-made biscuits and gravy in the electric skillet every weekend we were there.  I’m really glad that Judy taught Tammy how to make it – perfection.

We also had fun at her Clearwater condo – visited about every other year.   The first year we visited, the downstairs neighbor came up to complain that we “sounded like a herd of elephants”.  Judy made sure we tippy toed around every time after that.   We had fun going to Clearwater beach and walking the boardwalk, visiting Disney World or Bush Gardens, partying with the mates on the Pirates Cruise; and doing our traditional Clearwater dinner tour – eating at the Greek diner near the condo, Crabby’s Dockside at Clearwater Beach, and eating kids’ meals out of dog bowls at Dogwaters on the golf course.  We remember swimming in her condo’s pool and promptly getting kicked out at 3 PM by the old folks from New York.

Brooke remembers spilling a plate of spaghetti on Grandma’s cream-colored dining room carpet about 30 minutes after we arrived one year.   I was at Publix renting a carpet cleaner within an hour after arrival.  We laugh now but not so much when it happened.

Kassidy and Jenna would listen to Grandma for hours telling stories about Grandpa Bill who they never met – Grandma Judy was making sure they knew something about him.  Jenna would entertain Grandma with her Snapchat filters and just being goofy.

The girls fondly remember all the holiday at Grandma’s over the years – Easter, Mother’s Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  These family traditions were special for us.

Brooke said that Grandma always made sure she had “fishy crackers” on hand anytime her boys were planning to come over for a visit.    Of course, Grandma made sure to tell Tammy to go out and buy them ahead of time.

All the girls loved when Grandma was able to stay at our house too, they eagerly waited for her in our driveway and watched for her car to come down the street.  Kassidy remembers being excited to see Grandma like a “puppy”.

About a year ago, Kassidy visited Grandma and they went out to the Plainfield Antique Mall to spend quality time together – just the two of them.   Kassidy appreciated that her grandmother was willing to endure the long walk involved with her cane in order to spend time with her granddaughter – she didn’t complain one bit.

Kyle

 I met Judy and Bill back in 1988 when I started to date Tammy.  They knew my family and I when I was a kid but I really only knew Jeff back then from playing basketball at the Municipal Gardens.   Judy was always dressed nicely and well made up when I came over to the house.  I also noticed how well her house was decorated and put together and how it was always neat as a pin.  Nothing was ever out of place.    Judy was a typical mom who loved and adored her daughter so I figured I better treat Tammy right, or I would be in trouble.

Judy lived the last 29 years as a widow after she lost Bill to cancer when she was only 56 years young.  Prior to Bills passing, my impression was that Judy knew what she wanted but that Bill did most of the heavy lifting ensuring that she got it.    I was impressed how well Judy adjusted to being fully responsible for everything.

She sold a commercial building and lake house, bought and sold her Clearwater condo, sold her Park Estates house and bought her house in Brownsburg.   As I look back, I don’t ever remember her ever needing help with any of that.   She just figured it out on her own.   Over the last few months, I had the opportunity to review her financial papers and files – one grocery bag per year in her spare closet and more recent paperwork in her roll top desk or dresser.   She was meticulous in her documentation, always noting when things were paid, when she made calls, and keeping it all (at least for the last 12-15 years).

I noticed a stack of The Surveyor newspapers from George Washington High School in her closet.   I never knew that she was a reporter and business manager for her high school’s paper.

Judy and I certainly had our moments over the years, but we generally got along pretty well.   Watching the Colts with her was a bit challenging for me but I got used to her commentary (aka hollering).  I am happy that she was able to be a large part of our girls lives as they grew up and that we were able to spend significant time together.   We had so much fun at the lake house, visiting her condo, going on vacation, eating out, and just hanging with Grandma Judy.   I loved Judy Crow like my own mom.

I was very honored to be able to say a few words about her life and how she made a difference in the people she loved.

Judy certainly struggled over the past several weeks and months with her health as her body failed and wore out.   But in the end, she was calm and at peace, and is now with our Lord and Savior and able to watch over us all.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.