Judith Hanlon

udith Arlene Hanlon of Alamo, CA passed away peacefully at Casa Blanca Retirement Home on Saturday, July 24, 2021. She was 86. She was the daughter of Merle and Isla Peffley, born in Plainwell, MI and raised in nearby Wayland. Judy graduated from Wayland High School in 1953 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Therapy from Michigan State University, graduating in 1957. She married her high school sweetheart, Robert Gene Hanlon, in September 1956. Uncommonly devoted to each other, they were married for nearly 60 years. Some of Judy's sorority sisters at Alpha Omicron Pi called her "Peff" (short for Peffley), but some who didn't know her last name called her "Poof", which made people smile. "Poof" stuck more quickly than "Peff". Thus, Judy introduced herself as "Poof" throughout the years with a twinkle in her eyes. Judy loved musicals and from 1964-1972 pursued roles at Midland Music Foundation and Contra Costa Musical Theater with productions such as My Fair Lady, Unsinkable Molly Brown, How to Succeed in Business, Oklahoma, South Pacific and 110 in the Shade (role of Snookie). Judy graduated from LPN nursing school as class Valedictorian at J. Everett Light Career Center, Indianapolis in 1974. Upon passing the State LPN exam, she trained with local hospitals and worked for St. Vincent Hospital. Within 2 years, she transitioned to doctors' practices in Nephrology and Internal Medicine in Indianapolis. She continued her nursing career with a Gynecology practice in Pleasanton, CA following the family's move in 1983. She is remembered by coworkers for always having a smile and encouraging, upbeat attitude. Judy's hard work enabled her to put both her children through college and realize the dream of having her own horse named Dutchess (saddle, pickup truck and trailer). Dutchess made the trip to California as well. Judy was a devoted and loving Mom and "Grammy", as well as a surrogate mom to others. She adored her children and grandchildren and took exceptional care of her many fur-babies. She was a kind and friendly soul who enjoyed giving to others. Judy attended Golden Hills Community Church of Brentwood, CA with her husband in later years. Judy is preceded by her late husband Robert Gene Hanlon (2016). She is survived by her two children Robert (Anne) Hanlon of Pleasanton, CA and Patricia (Keith) Teel of Bellingham, WA; grandchildren Kayla Teel of Bothell, WA and Bryson Teel of Bristol, CT; cousins Dianne (Ken) Burkhart of Plainwell,MI, Doug (Tami) Dommert of Kalamazoo, MI and Jim Gilbert of Hastings, MI. In Judy's honor, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (http://theaftd.org), or AFTD, 2700 Horizon Drive, Suite 120, King of Prussia, PA, 19406 A brief graveside memorial will be conducted at the West Elmwood Cemetery, Wayland, MI Monday, 11:00am on Oct 18, 2021 for family and friends.