Judith A. Worth

Judith Ann “Judy” Worth, 81, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family and friends on Wednesday, March 27. Judy was born on November 16, 1942 in Kansas City, Missouri to Ralph Gelino and Edna Menard. She attended Blessed Sacrament Grade School and Bishop Lillis High School. Judy joined Visitation Catholic Parish in 1967. She was led by her faith and trust in God throughout her life. For many years, she could be heard singing proudly at weekly Mass from her preferred seat inside Visitation Church. 

While serving on the Visitation PTA board, Judy became friends with Dr. Tom Johnson. He recruited her to work as the business manager of his pediatric dental practice. She enjoyed working there for many years, and she loved all of the patients like her own family. Dr. Johnson encouraged Judy to return to school to earn her degree. She left her position in the dental office to attend pharmacy school at University of Missouri – Kansas City. In 1983, she graduated from UMKC with her Bachelors of Science in Pharmacy. Judy worked as a Clinical Research Pharmacist for Marion Labs, Marion Merrell Dow, and Pfizer. She later retired from Pfizer and worked part time for Dr. Brad Vince at Vince and Associates Clinical Research. 

Judy loved all types of theater and the performing arts. She frequently attended concerts, musicals, plays, and movies. She was an avid reader. In her home, Judy collected hardback copies of every book written by her favorite author, Stephen King. She enjoyed watching True Crime television and fictional detective mystery series. She loved solving puzzles like Sudoku, crosswords, and cryptograms. Judy took pride in maintaining and decorating her beautiful home and yard. She loved changing her décor seasonally and adding to each season’s collection. 

Judy was an incredibly independent and hardworking woman. She was very social and loved visiting with her friends and family. She kept in frequent contact with her loved ones. Judy maintained lifelong friendships with a group of girls from her kindergarten class, as well as many others she met along the way. Being a mother and grandmother was her greatest source of joy in this life. She always kept us near and dear to her heart. Everyone close to Judy felt a special bond with her. She was the best friend, mother, and grandmother we could have ever asked for. 

Judy was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Edna, her brother Richard, and four of her grandchildren: Sarah, David, Ethan, and Mallory. She is survived by her sister Nancy (77), daughter Trisha (58), son Mike (57), daughter-in-law Carrie (57), and four grandchildren: Jack (28), Chris (27), Emily (25), and Michaela (25). Judy loved and cared for her family dearly. She was a constant source of comfort and support to those near her. She will always be our biggest cheerleader. 

Services to celebrate Judy’s life will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024 at Visitation Catholic Church in Kansas City, MO. The visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by a rosary prayer at 11:30 AM and funeral at 12:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions for Judy be sent to the following:

Rose Brooks Center                                          Chestnut Fine Arts Center                                                            

P.O. Box 320599                                               234 N Chestnut St.                                                               

Kansas City, MO 64132                                    Olathe, KS 66061