Judy Goudeau

My name is Judith Ann Main Reed Goudeau, but you can call me Judy. Except when you read this I"™ll be gone. I made my transition August 6, 2009, at 4:30 a.m. I just wanted this chance to say thank you and goodbye. Details: I was born in Oklahoma City on July 13, 1939 to Henry F. "Hank" and Dixie Main. My mother was beautiful and a fabulous cook and my father was handsome, brilliant and wise. My father"™s second wife was a sweet, dear lady named Lucille Plowman, now over 95 years old and living in Temecula, CA. What good fortune to have her for my Mom! She also gave me a brother in the late Michael Thompson, and several aunts and cousins. I"™ve been married twice; once to Tommy Edward Reed for nearly 25 years and then to Maurice David Goudeau for five and a half years. Both of my families-in-law lovingly accepted me and our friendships have outlived the divorces, though they were both great guys! There have been other romances but I just have to say that Linda was by far the most fun! My closest family member, though, is Mary Jane Grimes. Mary is my mother, my sister, my friend and so much more. There is nothing that Mary wouldn"™t do for me and very little that she hasn"™t had to. How I hate to leave Mary! Mary"™s family is my family too, especially Suzanne Grimes Deakins, daughter-sister-friend, and also Beverly Clapper and Stephanie and Steven Clapper. I also gained four other sisters, a brother and a brother-in-law as well as a far-flung extended family. Among my own kin there are few left but the dearest is Carol Gephart Keiter of McCordsville, IN. Carol is also my daughter-sister-friend and that started when she was about nine years old. Another dear cousin is Mary Gephart Howard, a true survivor. There are many others and I love each one for exactly who they are. Another of my dearest friends from when she was 18 and I was 20, is Alice Lee Stanley. We worked together at both DHS and ODOT and have remained very close, especially in spirit. Alice has been very much there for me these last many years. Love you, Alice. In fact, my heart has just burst open with love and thankfulness ever since I was told my days were numbered, for I have so many rich memories! Close friends I want to be sure to mention are long-time friend Connie Fritch who has stepped in here, especially at the end to call me every day, to urge me along with gentle reminders, to give me hope. Likewise, Dorothy Listen has been a constant. Thanks for being there to all the members of all the twelve step groups to which I truly owe my last twenty plus years of joyous life. Thank God for Dr. Bob, Bill and Lois! The Maxines, my gang of "old girls" who meet to eat and go to plays or movies or for any excuse that comes along. Pets! I just want to say here and now that pets have been my salvation and I look forward to a great reunion with every one of mine. I"™d be pleased if you wish to make a donation in my name to any of the no-kill rescue facilities which, thankfully, abound. Other friends I want to mention include Bernice Price, Deana Duncan, Garrett Jacobson and family, Jerrie Lee Austin a close buddy since grade school, Brenda and Pam, my Visiting Angels. Dr. Norman Imes and his nurse Bonnie Imes, Dr. Mary Ann Bauman, Sister Dee Ann Mathis, Tracey Baker, Donna Clayton and Lloyd Stidham, Karen Stolte, Merle Moorman, Ruth Koelsch, Darrell Richardson, Roger Deakins, Dr. Jeanne King. Oh, and my on-line buddies, Lianne Ingalla and Sandy Colwell, my great buddy Danny. And there are so many supportive, loving people at the jigsaw and Sudoku sites in Australia. I give thanks for my church home, United Life Spiritual Center and for the hundreds of lives with which mine has mingled. Each of my ministers, too, has given me many gifts. I was very proud to work for ODOT and be a small part of the State"™s road and bridge building and maintenance endeavors. I have loved the islands of the Caribbean and treasure my many memories of joyful times spent snorkeling, picking up shells or just lazing in a rope hammock. The cruises were also wonderful, especially the last one with the family! Finally, if you were looking for your name and didn"™t find it, it"™s only because I forgot. Please remember me when you look up at the moon or out at the ocean or recall some joy we shared together. For, to everyone with whom I"™ve shared karma, I want to say, "If I ever loved you, believe me I still do." To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Judy Goudeau please visit our Sympathy Store.