Judith L. Morris

Judith L. (Webber) Morris, 68 PORTLAND -- Judith L. (Webber) Morris, 68, died peacefully on Feb. 23, 2009, after living with, enduring, and then suffering from Alzheimer's disease for more than 16 years. Born and raised in Portland, she lived here her whole life. She attended Portland's Deering High School and Dean Junior College in Massachusetts. Judy loved gardening and tennis and was an avid long-distance bicyclist. At the age of 50, rollerblading became one of her favorite past-times. She was a kind and compassionate person who had great empathy for people who were less privileged or facing difficult times. Along with her husband Jack (John) Morris, Judy volunteered at local soup kitchens, the Ronald McDonald House, Maine Medical Center, and Ingraham Volunteers. Married in their early 20s, Judy and Jack spent many happy summers on Peaks Island playing tennis, boating, and enjoying cocktails and cookouts on the back shore with good friends. They loved to travel and made numerous trips to Europe, including a bicycle trip across Italy in 1993. They also traveled to Jamaica and Venezuela and extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 1991 Judy's high school buddies took her 'backpacking' in England. As the Alzheimer's progressed, Jack took early retirement from the Prudential Insurance Company where he had worked for 35 years in order to care for Judy full-time at home. As she lost the memory of who she was, he Judith L. (Webber) Morris Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home & Cremation Service 775-3763 patiently and lovingly cared for her. He cooked and fed her her favorite meals, brought her a cocktail to enjoy in her nightly bubble bath, and danced the waltz with her around the living room before putting her to bed. When Jack died three and a half years ago at the age of 65, Judy went to live at the Barron Center where the staff cared for her professionally, compassionately and with great kindness. Her mother-in-law, Florence Morris, visited her nearly every day. Daughter of the late Norman B. Webber and Virginia Brinkman Webber and beloved step-daughter of Edna Lopez Webber, Judy is survived by her sisters Linda Madden of Saco and Anne Bowdoin of North Yarmouth; and her three daughters, Lisa Morris of Portland, Laurie Morris Atwood of Pownal and Linda Morris of Buxton. A private family graveside service will be held in March. Arrangements are being handled by Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland. In lieu of flowers, please donate to early-onset Alzheimer's research in honor of Judith L. Morris by sending contributions to: The Alzheimer's Association National Office 225North Michigan Ave. 17th Floor Chicago, Illinois 60601-7633