Judy M. Hemness

Funeral will be available via Zoom  with code 568 572 1890  password GoodNews. 

Judy M. Hemness, 79, Grand Forks, ND, died on Friday, February 10, 2023 at Valley Senior Living on Columbia.

On Monday, April 5, 1943, Eva Sullivan gave birth to a baby girl, at the Florence Grittenton Home in Fargo, a home for unwed mothers.  As a single mother, Eva had some difficult decisions to make.  Judy was initially placed in foster care and eventually went to live with her maternal grandparents until she was seven years of age.  At age seven, Judy was placed under the care of the Grafton State School, where she attended school and stayed until she was 30 years old (1950-1973).  In 1973, Judy moved to a hostel in Grand Forks.

In 1976, Judy took a position at the Ramada Inn in Grand Forks and worked as a dishwasher and kitchen helper.  Between 1982 and 1984, Judy was employed by the VFW Club, and in 1984, she began a job with a Grand Forks collection agency and worked at the agency until it closed in 1993.  In 1994, she began working for the Minot Vocational Workshop program.  She also held a job at the Grand Forks Air Force Base as a janitor.  Judy’s last job, before she retired, was working at the Grand Forks Red Lobster Restaurant; she folded silverware packets five mornings a week.  Judy’s caregivers shared that she, “enjoyed working and was proud to show others how hard she did work and how productive she was.”

There is little information about Judy’s immediate family.  By court order dated March 27, 2007, Judy’s name was changed from Alice Marie Sullivan to Judy Marie Hemness.  The North Dakota Certificate of Birth identifies Eva Sullivan (mother’s maiden name);  there is no father’s name on file.  However, Judy believed Ray Hemness to be her father.  Information indicates Eva Sullivan was married to Mr. Hemness in 1947 or 1948 (date unknown nor records found).  Judy was predeceased by her mother, Eva, who died in 1989.  Judy may have had a brother, David M. Hemness.  Records indicate he was born April 16, 1946; he died January 9, 2015, at Jamestown, North Dakota, and is identified as the son of deceased parents Raymond Hemness and Eva (Sullivan) Hemness.

Judy was also predeceased by two special friends, Barry and Lyn Svendsen (formerly of Grand Forks and later Minneapolis).  Barry and Lyn took great care to help both Judy and Frank – materially, socially and most importantly, spiritually, and introduced Judy and Frank to Jehovah, shared the truths presented in the Holy Scriptures, and introduced her to the local congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.

Despite Judy’s small family, she had a large family of people she knew and called by personal name – she remembered names very well!  Judy was associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses and attended meetings at the Kingdom Hall.  In addition to the meetings, she often shared comments during Bible discussions, and attended social events with many friends.  Judy will be remembered as the “Judy” as in “Frank and Judy.”  Judy is survived by her friend, Frank Harlow, Grand Forks.  

Judy was very fond of cats – a true “cat lover,” and is survived by her kitty, Missy.  With the assistance of the staff at Developmental Homes, Missy was able to find a new home.

Judy is also survived by a caring family and staff associated with the Developmental Homes, Inc. of Grand Forks, North Dakota.  The Developmental Homes family supported Judy and made it possible for her to achieve a level of successful independence that enabled her to enjoy a home and live with her beloved furry friend.

Determination, a commitment to hard work, a sincere and conscientious belief in her God Jehovah, personal strength, independence, and “grit” carried Judy well - through her almost 80 years of life.

Judy is missed and will be welcomed back at a future time to a beautiful, paradise earth as promised by the Creator of the Heavens and Earth, Jehovah God.  The Bible repeatedly connects the resurrection hope with Jehovah’s memory. The faithful man Job said to Jehovah: “O . . . that you would set a time limit for me and remember me!”  (Job 14:13)  And, God’s Son, Jesus Christ, referred to the resurrection of “all those in the memorial tombs.” This was appropriate because Jehovah perfectly remembers the dead whom he intends to resurrect.​— (John 5:28-29)

Memorial Services will be 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 2311 River Road NW, East Grand Forks.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service in Kingdom Hall. There will be a gathering of friends and a reception at Development Homes, Inc. at 3880 S. Columbia Rd following the service

Interment will be at a later date in Resurrection Cemetery, East Grand Forks, MN.