Memorial Services for Judy Lee Hawthorne of Chadron, NE, are Friday March 1, 2024 at 10:00 at the United Methodist Church in Chadron.
Flowers and donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain Chapel, P.O. Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.
Online condolences may be left at www.chamberlainchapel.com
Judy Lee (Dollison) Hawthorne was born on May 19, 1947 in Hot Springs, SD to John Earl and Doris Mary (Rogers) Dollison. The end of a life well lived came in the quiet hours of February 19, 2024 at Chadron Community Hospital with family by her side.
Judy grew up in Newcastle, WY with her brothers Fred, Rollie and Mike. She was an active member of the Methodist Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher and participated in the Youth Fellowship. Judy spent years in Girl Scouts, Jobs Daughters, and Future Homemakers.
Judy moved to Chadron to attend Chadron State College. This proved to be a fateful decision as she met her lifelong partner, Robert (Bob) Hawthorne, during a college Sunday School class when they were the only two to show up.
Judy graduated with her BS in Home Economics in 1969, then married Bob on June 21, 1969. They lived in Lincoln for a year while Bob finished his degree, then the couple moved back to Chadron to the Hawthorne family farm, which had been purchased by Bob’s great-grandparents in 1918.
Judy and Bob would spent the rest of their 54 years of marriage together on the farm. The family was blessed with the addition of Scott Alan in 1972 and Susan Lynne in 1974.
Through the years, Judy was busy raising the kids and working with Bob, but she was also an integral part of the United Methodist Church, Rose Hill Club, 4-H judging, Happy Hustlers 4-H club, Dawes County Fair, Red Cross, and several Bible Studies.
Years of decorating cakes for countless customers and creating and selling jellies, jams and sauces used her college background and showed her endless creativity. That was even truer when she started her own business, Grandma’s Kitchen.
Judy worked for 10 years for Every Woman Matters, instructing and advocating for breast exams and health. She spent 3 ½ years as the activity director at Prairie Pines Assisted Living Center and another 3 ½ years as the director of the Foster Grandparent Program.
The addition of grandchildren was a true joy in Judy’s life. Tryon, Mackenzie, Colton, Camden, Andrew, Katie and Timothy all found their way into her heart and blessed her with their activities and interests and skills.
Judy and Bob were inducted into the Dawes County Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2020, along with Bob’s brother Bill and his wife Ava. The brothers’ parents, Robert and Nellie Hawthorne, had been inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991.
Judy is survived by husband Bob, son Scott (Rhonda), daughter Susan (Lonnie), sister-in-law Cheri, brother Rollie, brother Mike (Lorie), brother-in-law Bill (Ava), 7 grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Judy was preceded in death by parents John and Doris, in laws Robert and Nellie, brother Fred and baby brother James.
Chamberlain Chapel is in charge of arrangements for Judy Hawthorne