Judith "Judy" Melroy

Judith Jurgensen Melroy

Judy Melroy died peacefully at home surrounded by family on August 18, 2025, at age 79. She departed with her Catholic faith intact and suffered a slow exit from this world at the hands of a neurodegenerative disorder.

Born in Savannah on December 14, 1945, Judy was the daughter of Mildred Barrett Jurgensen and Paul F. Jurgensen, Sr. She attended Sacred Heart School and St. Vincent's Academy where she cultivated lifelong friendships. Her passion for learning led her to Armstrong State College, University of Georgia, and a degree in education from The Woman's College of Georgia in Milledgeville. Her love of teaching showed in the years she worked in the Chatham County school system.

Judy married Donald Melroy in 1968. She was an attentive and diligent mother to her three loving sons, all of whom would later receive doctorate degrees. She was an active mother in a neighborhood of children who were always playing the sport of the season, usually in the front yard, driveway, or street in front of her house. Judy enjoyed painting and singing in the St. Vincent's Alumnae Chorale while also regularly meeting for lunch with her friends. She was a long-time member of St. James Catholic Church and attended Mass regularly at the Benedictine Chapel.

She was most proud of her sons, but Judy lived a life of service. Her calling and true passion was to care for others. She cared for numerous family members and friends as their needs grew as they aged. She helped older family members with doctors' appointments, grocery shopping, and other errands. Judy always loved having an active and busy household with her boys involved in many activities. She always welcomed their friends in her home with sandwiches, sweet tea, drinks and sweet treats. Later this love of others turned to her 8 grandchildren who affectionately called her "Lolli". They were truly the apple of Judy's eye.

She is survived by Donald, her husband of 56 years, and their 3 sons Michael (Sarah), Chris (Jennifer), and Joel (Mary Katherine) as well as brothers John Jurgensen (Sandy) and Joe Jurgensen (Mary Louise), sister-in-law Diane Jurgensen, and her loving grandchildren Oliver, Lily, Anna Claire, Charlotte, Margo, Isabelle, Henry, and Sylvie. Judy was also blessed with many cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Mildred and Paul Jurgensen, Sr., brother Dr. Paul F. Jurgensen and infant son Joseph.