Judith Ann Lingard was born May 4, 1943 to Anthony and Loretta Reddy in Amesbury, Massachusetts. The youngest of five, and the only daughter, “Posey” as she was called by her family, was a self-proclaimed “daddy’s girl”. Her fondest childhood memories included car rides with Dad, traveling with her Aunt Jane and spending time at Hampton Beach with her family.
While studying to become a teacher at Sienna Heights College in Adrian Michigan, she met her future husband Larry Lingard. They spent the early years of their marriage moving in service to the Methodist church and would eventually make a home in Lincoln, Nebraska where they raised 3 children, Sean, Lynnette and Rick. Judy spent many years working as the minister’s wife, but would later return to her true calling in education as a para for Lincoln Public Schools and a preschool teacher for Lincoln Parks and Recreation. She is also fondly known to many former Holmes Elementary students as “Grandma Judy” where she volunteered as a Foster Grandparent.
Above all, she was a mother to her three children and life-long caregiver for her oldest son Sean. To know her was to know them, Judy and Sean were truly each other’s person. They enjoyed shopping at Russ’s Market, dining at their favorite Lincoln restaurants and attending local farmers’ markets. They were embraced by so many wonderful friends at all of their favorite places and truly enjoyed making connections in their community, especially with their church family at South Gate United Methodist Church.
Judy also loved to travel, especially to the beach, was an avid reader and had a great fondness for all things chocolate! She was also truly a May baby, who loved all things spring, the flowers, visiting Holmes Lake, and just being outside. As she departed this world on her 81st birthday, we wished for the sun to be shining upon her face.
Judy is survived by her children Sean Lingard, Lynnette (Robert) Gentry and Rick (Jill) Lingard all of Lincoln, three granddaughters Brittany Heins of Omaha and Katie Clark and Haley Clark of Lincoln, many nieces and nephews, and a special family of foster children and foreign exchange students near and far. She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Tony, Dick, Tom and Larry and her children’s father, Larry Lingard.
A visitation will be held on Friday, May 10, 2024 from 4:00-6:00 pm at Metcalf Funeral Home, 245 N. 27th Street, Lincoln, NE. The funeral service will be Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 11:00 am at South Gate United Methodist Church, 3500 Pioneers Blvd., Lincoln, NE.
Memorials are suggested to the family for the ongoing care of Sean.
To watch the livestream of the service please click the link below
https://youtube.com/live/1zKLahu4UxE