Judith R. Richards

Judith R. Richards, 56, of St. Joseph, passed away on Monday, January 26, 2009 at her home. A Catholic Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Friday, January 30, 2009 at St. Bernards Catholic Church, 555 Delaware, Benton Harbor, with Fr. Bill Jacobs officiating. A funeral luncheon will be served immediately after the service. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, January 29, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a prayer service at 6:30 PM at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, MI. Memorial donations may be made out to the Melanoma Foundation. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Judy was born on January 9, 1953 to Bina “Jack” and Patricia (Barker) Allen in La Porte, IN. She graduated from La Porte High School in 1971. Judy married Tom Richards on November 23, 1973 in La Porte, IN. Together, they raised a son, Andrew and a daughter, Amy. Judy graduated from Lake Michigan College with a nursing degree. She owned Mailbox Etc. from 1992-2001. Judy piloted the Senior Center RN Program at St. Joseph-Lincoln Senior Center. She loved to work on crossword puzzles, knitting and spending weekends at the cottage by the lake with her husband. Judy is survived by her loving husband, Tom; son, Andrew Richards of Las Vegas, NV, and daughter, Amy (Paul) Hoffman of Kalamazoo, MI; her mother, Patricia Allen of La Porte, IN; a brother, Patrick (Barb) Allen of New Carlisle, IN, and a sister, Laura Allen of La Port, IN; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father, Bina “Jack” Allen in June 2008.