Judith Ann Scully Mogensen went home to be with the Lord on April 7, 2020. No longer bound by pain, can’t you just see Judi skipping her way up to the Pearly Gates, a glass of wine in one hand and a paintbrush in the other? She was truly a gifted and talented artist, happiest among her brushes and paints. I think Judi would want us to think of her life as a beautiful painting that she created, filled with cherished memories we each have with her. She led a full and wonderful life. And our lives are far richer and certainly more colorful for having been a part of hers.

To us, Judi was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister -in-law, aunt, and dear friend. She was full-of-life, with sparkling blue eyes and a contagious laugh, and always ready for a party! She was kind and generous, and a darn good cook!  If you came to her house for dinner, you’d often leave with a piece of her artwork, along with empty pockets from the after-dinner card game.

Judi was the heart of her home and we share so many warm, happy, and funny memories. When the kids would come home, she would make her famous peach dumplings only to watch them fight over them (and this is when they were adults), or playing cards with the grandkids…and there were lots and lots of card games. This is how all the grandkids learned to count! As soon as they were old enough to sit at the table and hold cards, Mimi & Papa taught them to play “Pass the Trash”. There are so many memorable recollections of Mimi during family Christmases, family reunions in Chicago and Branson, camping in Wisconsin at Lake Camelot, and making homemade matching clothes for the girls-and yes, she was known to use draperies.

One of Judi’s favorite memories was the move to Branson to run the Mountain Shadow Motel. She felt like God placed them there and she watched her family bond and grow even closer as they worked together to run the Motel…she was also very relieved when it sold! She absolutely loved when everyone came home and we’d spend the day tubing and picnicking on the Screamin’ Mimi pontoon boat. Nothing excited her more than reunions with family and friends- the bigger the better. She loved her family, friends, and fun!

For those of us left behind, nothing will ever fill the hole in our hearts left by her absence. As Aunt Pat said, Judi is everywhere in our homes with paintings adorning our walls, a myriad of watercolor cards for all occasions, handmade jewelry, and her favorite family recipes. She spent countless hours of sewing quilts, clothes, curtains and wedding dresses  – whatever we needed.   She took our most important events and unforgettable memories and chronicled them in scrapbooks as a special “I love you” gift. We will forever hold Judi in our hearts and continue to cherish the beautiful handmade things she so generously gave us throughout the years.

If you asked Judi what her greatest masterpiece was, she would be quick to say her family. She was absolutely devoted to Gunder, the love of her life for 60 years. Their marriage was strong and committed and a beautiful love story that we were privileged to witness. She adored her four children: Stacey, Kris, Beth & Steve, whom she loved and nurtured into the incredible people they are today. Judi and Gunder gave their children the example of a Godly marriage they all wanted to duplicate, and they did; all happily married to Paul, Scott, Doug & Andrea, respectively.  And Mimi was proud and absolutely crazy- in-love with her fourteen grandchildren: Blake, Brittan, Derek, Bissett, Morgan, Matthew, Madison, Daniel, Sophia, Sarah Kate, Zachary, Brayden, Camden & Walker- and they were absolutely crazy-in-love with her, too.

We take great comfort and joy in knowing that Mimi is at home with her Savoir she so faithfully loved and served. And one day, we will be with her again, she just got a little head start.