Judith "Judy" Mattson

Judith Judy Mattson described herself as a banker, sewer, knitter, reader, wife, mom and most of all a grandmother. It was the last three that brought the most joy to Judys life - being a wife to the man she loved for over 35 years, a mother to the son she considered a miracle, and a grandmother to precious Cloey, the light of her life. Life was good in 1950. World War II was over and thousands of young servicemen returned home to pick up their lives and start new families in new homes with new jobs. The average salary was $2,992 and a loaf of bread cost just $0.14. Neil and Delores (Smith) Hogendyk were living in Grand Rapids, Michigan where Neil worked for Consumers Power. His hard earned $2,992 supported his wife and their two children, Sue and Kathy. A few days after Christmas, on December 29, 1950, they welcomed their third child, a little girl they named Judith. When son David arrived, the Hogendyk family was complete. His job with Consumers Power required Neil to move his family around a lot, finally settling in Muskegon, Michigan. Young Judy was a bit shy, but moving from school to school was no big deal for this girl. She took everything in stride. Once she learned to read, Judy was unstoppable. She especially loved the Hardy Boys mysteries not Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys and also the joy of every kid in the fifties, comic books. Her favorite was Little Lulu and her friend Sluggo. Television had recently become a part of the American culture and Judys family were the first on their block to have one. A Philco black and white table model a little tiny screen in a big box it was a hit with all the neighborhood kids. Judys interest in shows spanned from cartoons like The Archies, to westerns like Bonanza and sci-fi like The Twilight Zone. Judy Pudy a nickname her father gave her - and her family took many vacations together; some of the most memorable were the driving trip to Disney Land and going cross-country on Route 66. Pets were a big part of the family, and along with four children, there was usually an assortment of gerbils, hamsters and dogs adding to the fun. Judy always said that the time spent with her parents and siblings was memorable and fun. Judy graduated from Reese-Puffer High School in 1969 and then went on to Muskegon College. With her many interests, it was no wonder that Judy graduated 3rd in her class, a class of 250 students. After graduation, a girlfriend set her up on a date with a young man named Gerald Jerry Mattson. The two were immediately attracted to each other, but Uncle Sam had other plans. Jerry entered the Army in 1969. While he served his country, Judy worked at Meijers Thrifty Acres repairing watches. It seemed that Jerry had a double, because Judy would tell about the man who came into the store several times, and looked just like Jerry. Judy and the real Jerry wrote back and forth during his stay in the service, and in one letter Jerry wrote that he planned to marry her one day. When Jerry was discharged from the service in 1972, he kept his word and he and Judy were married on September 15, 1972. They planned on honeymooning in Ludington and then to Mackinaw, but it was fishing season and without reservations it was difficult to find places to stay. As she had as a child, Judy just took everything in stride. With the honeymoon behind them, Judy and Jerry moved to a one-bedroom apartment on Marquette Street in Muskegon. They later moved to a house, which is still their home. Having grown up in a big family, Judy was anxious to start a family of her own, but things just werent working out. After Judy suffered through many miscarriages and a stillborn birth, they both decided it wasnt meant to be and gave up. It was discovered that due to a rare RH-negative factor, it would be extremely rare for Judy to deliver a healthy child to full term. Just when they had accepted the fact that they would not have children, a miracle happened. Judy became pregnant and gave birth to a beautiful baby boy they named Charles Chuck Gerald Mattson. Born on Valentines Day in 1979, Chuck changed their lives forever. Wonders never cease. Judy loved being a mother and Chuck remembers his mother making his Halloween costumes and even some of his school clothes. Judy was quite the seamstress and also liked doing cross-stitching. Both Chuck and his father often remarked what a good cook Judy was. The only problem was, she always cooked for an army, not just three. It did, however, mean that Chuck and Jerry were always well fed. You had to eat rather fast, though. Judy was big into organization and was constantly picking up after everyone, many times picking up your plate before you were quite ready. Structure was her byword and she even shopped for groceries on the same day of every week. Even with young Chuck to care for, Judy had been a working mother, spending most of her career at National City Bank. She began in a clerical position, working her way up to teller, head teller, Assistant Manager and then Operations Manager. She knew the ins and outs of just about every job in the bank. When Chuck married Gemmie, she became the daughter Judy never had. When granddaughter Cloey came along, she became Judys number one passion. Anything Cloey needed or wanted, Judy was right there. Gemmie considered Judy her second mom, and although they were opposites in many ways, they always agreed on three things they both loved Chuck, Jerry and Cloey. In January of 2007, Judy was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, a terrible blow to her and her family. Once she began treatment, she was no longer able to work. During this time, Gemmie gave her a book. It was a book where Judy would answer all kinds of questions about her life, her memories, and it also had places for photos. It was to be Judys personal legacy in her own words, a legacy that Gemmie would pass on to Cloey when she was old enough to understand. At times this was a very difficult task, but because it was for Cloey, she did it with love. In her book, Judy attributes her stubborn streak to her father. All her family agrees that Judy was stubborn, and Judy was sure she had passed this trait on to Cloey. Chuck and Gemmie say that Cloey tends to be a bit on the neat side just like Judy! Judy even wrote that when Cloey concentrates, she holds her face the same way Judys mother did. One of Judys final entries gives us insight as to her final days. You know what you are like, who you are, what you believe in and you are proud of your children and family. A wonderful thought to be kept in the hearts of her family and friends. Judy lost her courageous battle on Thursday, July 12, 2007. Mrs. Judith Judy Mattson, age 56, died Thursday July 12, 2007. She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Gerald "Jerry" Mattson; son Charles "Chuck" (Gemmie) Mattson of Muskegon; grand-daughter, Cloey; 2 sisters, Sue Ferguson of Jackson, MI, Kathy (Mike) Slavinski of Muskegon; brother, David Hogendyk. She was preceded in death by one child at birth and also by her parents. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 16, 2007, 11:00 AM at Fruitland Evangelical Covenant Church with Rev. Brian Kyle officiating. Interment at Laketon Township Cemetery. Visitation is Sunday, 4-7 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Please visit Judys personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.