Judith Kay (Cravens) Reeder

Our mom, Judith Kay (Cravens) Reeder, passed away on November 18, 2024 after a heroic battle against Alzheimer’s. She was 85 years old. She was born on Halloween, October 31, 1939, to the late Maurice and Catheryn (Schroeder) Cravens in Indianapolis where she lived her entire, vibrant life. After Broad Ripple High School, she attended Miami University of Ohio, graduating with a degree in education in 1961. It was there that she met the love of her life, our dad, Charlie. They wed in June, 1961 and were married for over 60 years. We celebrate Mom for many reasons. She was a care giver. It was not her job or a role she played: it was her. She raised 4 boys and loved us all to the very end. Well into our adult years, it was not unusual for her to show up with chicken noodle soup, jello, and saltine crackers if you had a cold. She adored all of her 10 grandchildren absolutely and totally, and was never so happy as when she could spend time with them at the cottage on Crystal Lake, see them in a performance, watch them dance, or be their loudest cheerleader at a soccer game. And she took care of Dad during a long and tortuous illness, checking blood pressures, giving medications, preparing meals, and in all ways tending to him every minute of every day for several years. It was not easy but her attention to him was complete. Our mom was a care giver. She was generous. We cannot remember a time during our childhood when she was not fixing dinner for our playmates and many neighborhood friends or driving them to baseball practice or letting them spend the night. She was a tutor for children with dyslexia. She was active in her church. She was an artist who did crafts with her grandkids, a theater and musical performer in high school who taught us a love of music, an amateur dog trainer. She was not materialistic and gave freely of her treasure. Our mom was generous. She was honest. She did not seek approval from others. She was straightforward. If she loved you, you knew it; if you asked for advice, she talked straight to you; if you wondered where she stood on something, you could ask and get a direct answer. There was no difference between her values and the way she lived them or her principles and the way she practiced them. She could keep your confidence. She was always herself. Our mom was honest. There is a photograph of her at Crystal Lake. Mom is standing on the beach, one of her adorable labrador retrievers in tow, a grandchild beside her. Their peachy feet are just visible in the shallow, clear water. The sun is gold in the sky, tiny wavelets run to the shore, hills of birch and pine call in the distance. I think Mom would want to be remembered precisely in that way: being outdoors, sharing a tranquil moment with family, her loyal dog nearby, no pretense or fanfare, in a place she loved most, with all of summer ahead of her. God bless you, Mom. You are with Christ now. Dad is holding your hand. You are healthy and whole. And an eternal summer stretches before you. Judy is survived by her loving sister, Carolyn Dickson; her sons Michael C. Reeder, John D. (Norma) Reeder, Kent C. (Carol) Reeder, and David D. (Lindsay) Reeder; and her grandchildren, Tony, Austin, Brooke, Taylor, Avery, Johnny, Lila, Riley, Darby, and Max (Hayley). Our family would like to make special mention of the exemplary care Mom received during her last years, including from physicians Kevin Helms, Robert Alonso, Ali Hamza, and Todd Biggerstaff; the wonderful staff at Grace at Home; Lori, Kara, and Rhiannon at the best hospice agency in the city, Enlight Hospice; and Mom’s hairdresser, Julie Shackelford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association. Final arrangements and care are entrusted to Shirley Brothers Fishers-Castleton Chapel.

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Judith Kay (Cravens) Reeder

October 31, 1939 - November 18, 2024